The Business of Being Born Message Board

Question: I live in a non-midwife state (Illinois). I really don’t want to have my labor induced unless there is risk to myself or my child but my doctor says that she will induce if he hasn’t come at least a week after the due date. I feel like I am being told what will be done instead of being given options and then being able to choose for myself. What would you recommend I do?

From Sarah

A: Dear Sarah,

I’m sure you know this, but just to clarify, there are midwives practicing legally in Illinois. Not all types of midwifery licenses are currently recognized in your state, but there are Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) practicing both in and out of hospital settings in Illinois. Of course, accessing midwifery care might be difficult depending on where in the state you are located.

To answer your question, the first thing that I would do if I were you is to tap into the local birth community in your area. Find a doula, childbirth educator, lactation consultant, or grassroots birth advocacy group near you. They will be able to recommend the practitioners in your area that are the most supportive of natural or low intervention births. They will have insight into hospital policy and practices in your local facilities and will be able to guide you in finding the best birth environment for you.

If you decide to stay with your current provider there are a few things that you can do to reduce your chances of having an unnecessary induction:
- talk with your provider. Find out why s/he feels the induction is necessary. Have an open discussion about it and ask as many questions as you can. It would be helpful to review some of the information available about induction ahead of time so that your questions are informed. Taking a more active role in decision-making may help to shift the power dynamic between you and your doctor. Remember that you want your doctor to be an ally at your birth. Treat them with the respect that you expect to receive from them. It is possible to express your intentions without undermining your relationship with your doctor. If your doctor is resistant to this approach then I would look for someone else. They won’t be any more receptive or understanding when you’re in labor!
- Sometimes an induction is considered necessary, even with midwives. If you find yourself in a position where an induction seems likely, there are alternatives that are far less invasive then the drugs used to start labor in hospitals. Acupuncture, stripping the membranes, nipple stimulation, visualization, and ingesting castor oil are a few techniques that generally will get labor going if the body is ready to birth. You should talk with your practitioner about these alternatives before trying them.
- Hire a doula. Studies show that intervention rates go down when a doula is present.
- Remember that no procedure can be performed without your informed consent. That is federal law. No one can force you to be induced. But make sure that whatever decision you make is an informed one. I would recommend that you reference Henci Goer’s website or books for more information about inductions.

Have a wonderful birth! And trust that your baby will come exactly when s/he is supposed to.

Elan McAllister
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