Neither induction nor C-section is inherently "worse"; they are different medical interventions with distinct risks and benefits, and recent large studies, like the ARRIVE trial, suggest elective induction at 39 weeks might lower C-section rates and improve outcomes compared to waiting for spontaneous labor, though risks like stronger contractions or increased bleeding exist, while C-sections carry surgical risks, but both options depend heavily on individual health and medical circumstances, requiring discussion with a healthcare provider.
Increased chance of caesarean section
There is a higher chance of having a caesarean section if your labour is induced. If this is your first baby the chance ranges from 26.5% to 39.9% compared to 12.5-17.5% % if your labour started on its own (ref 3,4).
First, a woman having her labour induced is given artificial hormones. These can create more pain more quickly than would occur in spontaneous labour.
Inductions potentially open the door to more medical interventions. Additionally, if the induction is successful, the labor process moves faster than your body has time to keep up with the pain, so pain management is more difficult. Because inductions can lead to c-sections, I would never want one.
Women who underwent labor induction, with or without oxytocin, were more likely to deliver by cesarean than women who began labor spontaneously.
Women whose labour was induced were less likely than those managed expectantly to have a cesarean delivery. In addition, the risk of fetal death and admission to neonatal intensive care unit were decreased in the induction group.
Induction is not a quick process. Once it has started, it may take more than 24 hours until your baby is born. If your cervix needs to be primed, it may take two days or more.
Your provider may recommend inducing labor if your health or your baby's health is at risk or if you're 2 weeks or more past your due date. For some women, inducing labor is the best way to keep mom and baby healthy. Inducing labor should be for medical reasons only.
While childbirth is famously painful, conditions like Cluster Headaches, severe Kidney Stones, Endometriosis, Trigeminal Neuralgia, and even intense dental procedures like root canals are often described by sufferers as worse, with cluster headaches frequently topping pain scales due to their intensity and lack of breaks, unlike labor. Pain perception is subjective, but these conditions involve excruciating, sharp, or prolonged agony that some individuals rate higher than childbirth.
"I wish I'd known about the intensity of induced contractions. Mine came one on top of another, with no 'rest' period as there is with natural contractions to let me catch my breath." "If you want an epidural, ask for it early on, preferably before you have the drip.
Is induced labor more painful? Some parts of the induction process – like a membrane sweep or cervical balloon – can be uncomfortable, but it's Pitocin that has a reputation for upping the intensity.
Walking and exercise often make it to the top of the list of things to try. While there's no research that says it will induce labor, 30 minutes of moderate exercise at least five times a week can be helpful in any stage of pregnancy.
HOW LONG DOES INDUCTION TAKE FOR FIRST-TIME MOMS? Because you are a first-time mom, labor induction could be slower – between 24-36 hours – than people who have given birth before.
Victoria Beckham has had four C-sections, delivering all her children—Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz, and Harper Seven—via the surgical procedure, a choice she stated was due to medical reasons, not simply being "too posh to push".
The 5-5-5 rule is a guideline for what kind of help a postpartum mom needs: five days in bed, five days round the bed — meaning minimal walking around — the next five days around the home. This practice will help you prioritize rest and recovery while gradually increasing activity.
Data assessing the risks of severe perineal lacerations with induction of labor (IOL) appear mixed. One large French observational study (3077 patients) found that IOL does not increase perineal laceration5; however, in other studies, IOL has been associated with increased incidence of perineal lacerations.
A numerical rating scale (NRS) of 0–10 was adopted to evaluate maternal pain, with 0 describing no labor pain and 10 describing the most severe labor pain. The higher the score, the more severe the labor pain is.
A toothache can be a major interruption in your everyday life. Many express to us that a toothache is the worst pain they have ever experienced, even worse than childbirth!
A large proportion of first time mothers (41.6%) were induced in 2018, when the latest national data were published, compared with 30.6% in 2010.
Inducing labor carries risks, including:
While it's not essential to have an epidural if you are having an induction, many people find contractions during inductions more intense, so often people opt for an epidural during an induction.
There is no strong evidence that induction of labour with intravenous oxytocin in the evening is more or less effective than induction in the morning. Consideration may be given to start induction of labour with oxytocin in the evening when indicated.
Not Using the Right Cookware
One of the most common mistakes when using a induction cooktop and ceramic cooktop is using the wrong cookware.
Things to Remember
Please do not shave or wax your abdomen, thighs, or the area around your vagina for at least one week before your induction of labor. Take a shower with an antibacterial soap such as Dial and wear freshly laundered clothes.