When a client is offered an induction of labour, it can stir up a mix of emotions and questions. As doulas and birth workers, our role isn’t to give answers but to hold space, share evidence-based information, and support our clients in making choices that feel right for them. Below are my top 10 tips to help guide you.
- Clients need to know that NO is a full sentence and they have a legal right to decline any care they are offered
- Make sure your client is well-informed and is deciding about their induction from a place of both knowledge (good sign posting of evidence based info) and power (internal connection with their own sovereignty)
- Induced labour IS NOT the same as labour powered from a person’s own hormonal cocktail & they will be under obstetric care not autonomous midwife care – help your client understand the differences
- Its not a black and white thing; help you clients come out of binary thinking around induction, and really feel into what’s right for them knowing that can change (as with all birth you will need to sit with uncertainty)
- If they choose an induction as a doula or birth partner be prepared for the long haul and the benefit of tag team
- Remember nice food, walking outside of the hospital and distraction are v helpful before the ‘active labour’ starts
- All the comfort measures for physiological birth can be experimented with in an induction, breathing techniques, massage, aromatherapy, dim lights, music
- The additional medicalisation means the birthing person will need even more support connecting with their own oxytocin after the birth
- Induction does increase the chance of surgery or instrumental birth, which can lead to increased risk of separation even for short time – this can impact breastfeeding & bonding (support clients to understand the importance of extended periods of skin to skin)
- Meet your clients where they are. And trust in their own wisdom.
Additional resources
Midwife thinking blogs are my favourite sign posts for this topic:
https://www.rachelreed.website/blog/induction-of-labour-for-prolonged-pregnancy
https://www.rachelreed.website/blog/induction-step-by-step
You can find really good evidence based discussion of induction in three books and websites:
Dr Sara Wickam – in your own time:
https://www.sarawickham.com/
Why Induction Matters – Dr Rachel Reed:
https://midwifethinking.com/2016/07/13/induction-of-labour-balancing-risks/
AIMS book Induction of Labour:
https://www.aims.org.uk/information/item/induction
Podcasts
- INDUCTION OF LABOUR With Professor Hannah Dahlen Welcome to the Womb
- Induction of Labour with Dr Sara Wickham birth-ed podcast
- Is It Normal? The Pregnancy Podcast With Jessie Ware Ep 21 – Week 38 of your pregnancy (this one is from an obstetrician pov plus discusses acupuncture)