The dos and don’ts before being induced
If you’re looking into a labor induction, then your due date must be just around the corner. What an exciting time for you and your family! In this blog, we’re letting you know the dos and don’ts before being induced.
This blog includes:
- Why do people have inductions?
- What is an induction?
- What to do before labor induction
- What to do the night before induction
- What not to do before the induction process
- What happens after the labor induction?
Why do people have inductions?
During the later stages of your pregnancy, you may be invited for an induction. Inductions are very common – around one in every five births are induced in the UK.
Most inductions occur due to the pregnancy lasting for over 42 weeks. However, some pregnant women are also offered inductions due to health conditions. If you have a health condition, you’ll likely receive more testing throughout your pregnancy.
Most inductions are pre-planned, giving you time to prepare. There is also no requirement for you to have an induction to bring on the birth. It’s entirely your choice. If you decide not to have an induction, you may need to be monitored more closely. This will help to reduce the risks of complications.
Membrane sweep
You may have also come across a membrane sweep, which is usually offered before a labor induction. This involves a healthcare provider completing a sweeping motion around the cervix. This helps to disturb the amniotic sac from its comfortable position.
The healthcare provider will let you know what to expect from the sweep. They should let you know that you may experience some slight bleeding after the procedure.
What is an induction?
A labor induction involves a gel or tablet being inserted into the vagina. The aim of an induction is to get uterine contractions to start. There’s no way of knowing how long it might take to induce labor, but you’ll be in the hospital after. This means that midwives can continue to support and monitor you.
If, after a while, you still haven’t experienced any contractions, you may be invited to have a second induction. Try not to worry if you don’t start contractions. The healthcare providers will be with you and advise you at every step when inducing labor and delivery.
You may be advised to have a caesarean section if the induction continues not to work. This is nothing to worry about, and c-sections are very common.
What to do before labor induction
Labour inductions are usually planned, allowing you to prepare and do some research if you wish to. You’ll be given a specific induction date if the baby has yet to arrive. Here are some tips on the dos and don’t before being induced. This list is for the week or so before, and a night-before list is also included.
Research
Researching can help many people, but it can cause worry for some. You should take some time to learn the basics before going into the hospital. Researching may help you to relieve some worry you may be feeling. It may also help you to have more realistic expectations for your induction procedure.
It’s a good idea to create a list of questions to ask a healthcare provider. Ensure that any information you read is from a reliable source, such as a delivery nurse.
- What happens during a labor induction?
- How many times will you try the induction process before it is labelled as a ‘failed induction’?
- Are there any other induction methods?
- Who decides whether I should have a c-section?
- How long will I be in hospital (on average)?
- Can I still have pain medication or an epidural with a scheduled induction?
- When can I eat during the day?
- What side effects may I experience during the labor process? – Some laboring women experience nausea or the pregnant ring of fire.
We recommend having a notebook with you at all times. This way, you can remember all of the questions you have and write down the answers. It’s a good idea to share these answers with your partner.
Your partner may wish to do their own research to support you on the day. It’s a good idea to let them know what you’re happy to do during labour. This is so that they can speak for you if you are unable to decide in the moment.
You may also suggest that your birth partner learns about counter pressure during labor and tips for relieving it.
Amend your birth plan
It’s a good idea to have a birth plan but remember, it may not go to plan. A plan helps you to assess how you would like to give birth. Health professionals will try to stick to the plan, but safety must come first. You may discuss how to make a plan during prenatal appointments.
Your birth plan should contain information about your induction. You may include how long you want to keep trying induction techniques and when you would want a c-section.
It may also contain information regarding pain relief options that you’d be willing to try and when. As we said, safety is the most important thing during labor, so some things may not be possible.
Get your hospital bag packed
If you haven’t already, it’s time to pack your hospital bag! Make sure that you’ve included things for yourself and for your new baby. Don’t forget toiletries, comfy clothes, underwear, maternity pads, electrics and chargers, and anything else you may need.
You should put your birth plan in your hospital bag to be accessed easily. Some people like to include some medical history with their plan. You may wish to include some snacks for your hospital stay in the bag too.
Rest before the scheduled labor induction
Get as much rest as you can before your baby arrives, you’ll need it. You may not be able to get much sleep after you get to the hospital, so try your best to sleep before.
What to do the night before induction
You might feel slightly worried the night before your induction but try to relax. There are some things you should do the night before your induction to keep you feeling fresh and ready.
- Eat a small, nutritious meal – check the timings with your hospital staff
- Drink plenty of water
- Rest – try to get a decent sleep the night before your induction
- Freshen up
- Stay comfortable – you may want to use a birthing ball
What not to do before the induction process
Now that you know what you can do before having an induction, here’s what you should avoid. Be sure to listen to advice from healthcare professionals to ensure that you and your baby are safe.
- Don’t eat large meals
- Don’t drink caffeine
- Avoid taking pain medication without speaking to the hospital’s medical team
- Don’t try any at-home labour starters – these often don’t work and may cause other side effects
Can you eat before an induction?
The healthcare professionals will tell you everything you need to know about preparing for induction. They’ll let you know when to eat and what to eat. As we mentioned before, you should avoid greasy, heavy meals before your induction. Instead, try a light meal.
Ensure you follow all advice about when to stop eating before attending the hospital’s maternity unit. If you eat too late, you may find your induction is delayed. This is not what you want and could mean you’re just sitting around waiting for hours before being induced.
What happens after the labor induction?
After the induction, you’ll wait at the hospital while it starts to work. Sometimes, inductions may not work, and you may be offered another dose. If this fails to work, you may be offered other options.
Some women are offered a cesarean delivery at this point. This involves a surgical cut being made across the stomach to get the baby out. This is nothing to worry about and can be a safer way to give birth if necessary.
All of your healthcare professionals will support you the whole way through. They’ll help you to make an informed decision regarding your delivery.
We hope this blog has been useful regarding what to do and not to do before induction. Good luck with your induced labor experience! Enjoy meeting your little one.
Hey there, I’m Abigail!
In 2022, I graduated with a First Class Degree in Marketing and since then, I have been working as a blogger and Marketing Assistant. Before heading to university, I also achieved a BTEC in Children’s Play, Learning and Development.
I have been blogging for over four years and have covered many topics during this time. My focus has been on pregnancy, babies, sleep and baby name ideas.
I am passionate about learning new things and helping others. I hope that you find my blogs useful and informative. See you in the next article!