Episode 19: Induction of Labor

Let’s talk about induction of labor.

When, how and why induction of labor happens is a hot topic among many doulas. As we move through the holiday season we see many doulas posting warnings to pregnant people to question an induction. Especially those scheduled before a holiday. We see discussions about why inductions of labor may happen and how they may or may not be “justified.”

In this episode, we discuss how to handle the nuances of support during an induction. When should we arrive? Should we go and stay from the beginning? Setting expectations for communication during the process and when to check-in.

What we don’t often see is how a doula can provide outstanding support to a client who has chosen or requires induction of labor.

As doulas, we must remove ourselves from our bias surrounding the induction of labor to best support our clients through their own experience. When we view the induction of labor as a negative that should be avoided we fail to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to help clients navigate the experience from a positive and empowering perspective.

We also tackle the topic of informed consent. Many doulas feel it is their responsibility to get informed consent from their clients before an induction of labor. Yet what doulas fail to realize is that this is not our role. We are not the medical care provider. It is the medical care provider’s role to obtain informed consent.

As doulas, it is our role to offer information and education, if the client so desires.

But we need to be aware that not every client desires to hear all the “risks” and “benefits” to the path they have chosen. Some will simply prefer to trust their provider. Others will have done their own research. While others will not desire our input or opinion at all.

Our role is not to vomit information at clients to feel that they are making an informed decision. Our role is to ask, to validate, to answer and to respond.

Come join us as we tackle this hot topic!