C-section or induction?

How about neither.

I am a mother of three. All of which were born without epidurals. The first two I was induced and the last I had a home birth. With my first two I had similar experiences. At around 30 weeks the talk of c-sections and inductions would come up. I would make it clear that scheduling a c-section was not an option unless medically necessary. I wanted to go into labor naturally and was determined to do so.

Week 34 and my doctor urges once again how convenient and common c-sections were. I refused again. 38 weeks and my doctor was even more pushy stating how miserable I must be and how excited I must be to see the baby. I told her my wishes to go natural once again. She once more goes over the options for c-section and induction. I expressed my discomfort with any interventions. I was then told I could only go to 40 weeks because after that I had a much higher risk of my placenta not working well enough to provide the baby with proper nutrients. I was told this would most likely result in the death of my child. If I refused all options and went just one day past 40 weeks I would be kicked out of her practice and no longer under her care.

I reluctantly agreed to the inductions but not until 40 weeks. Both times the inductions were 10 times more painful and long suffering than my home birth. When you get induced you are chemically forcing your body to have contractions. Not when your cervix has ripened enough. Not when your body is mentally and physically ready for it. This overriding of the system is not natural. In fact, doctors don’t tell you that inductions can actually be more painful than naturally induced labor. Doctors don’t tell you that this chemical compound forces your body to contract, not in a natural rhythm, but almost constant waves. The natural timing of contractions and breaks in between can become blurred when your body is doped up on liquid labor activator.

Doctors don’t tell you about increased risk of infection and issues with the baby’s heartbeat. While Pitocin itself doesn’t directly affect the baby’s heart rate, the contractions it induces can cause changes in the fetal heart rate. Doctors don’t tell you that Pitocin, a synthetic form of the hormone oxytocin, can potentially impact breastfeeding.  It’s a crucial hormone for milk ejection but when administered during labor it can affect the mother’s natural oxytocin production and milk ejection reflex. This can lead to a lower milk production or delayed milk let down.


At the time I was young and didn’t not know what I know now. I did not know I had options and rights. I did not know that the doctors were more worried about what was convenient for them versus what was best for me and my child. With my third pregnancy, I already knew the dilemma I would soon face. A forced induction or c-section would be my ultimatum. After my second appointment and verification of fetal heartbeat, I was reviewing my notes the doctor left on my medical records. I saw the red cap letters of HIGH RISK. My heart stopped wondering how, considering nothing was mentioned during the visit. When I messaged the nurse asking why, they explained  that over 90% of women who come through their office are considered high risk. My factors were my age (30), my weight then (165). My history of being a previous smoker along with diabetes and heart disease in my family’s history. She said I would literally have to have never smoked, consumed alcohol, or have any family medical history to be considered not high risk.

I saw this as a cunning tactic to overcharge insurance while requiring additional tests and procedures to monitor a high risk pregnancy. I was outraged at the label for such miniscule points. It would be different if there was a legitimate issue to cause concern but there obviously was none. It was a scheme to get the most money possible from  almost every woman who was pregnant and scare them into submission.



After speaking with the nurse who explained the high risk label I promptly removed myself from that hospital’s appointment schedule, never to return. The blanket term just didn’t sit right with me. I know now it was a very wise and invigorating decision indeed.





I talked to my midwife about my concerns of going until I am “overdue” and she assured me that it was common for women to go 42 to even 44 weeks sometimes. There are natural ways to ripen the cervix and help prepare for labor with herbs and teas. There are tinctures to help tone the uterus and prepare for shorter and easier labors. All of which are natural and not harmful to the baby.

The placenta does not quit working. It’s way more complicated than that. Once the baby reaches a certain point of development your body knows, as well as the placenta. It is a domino effect that releases the right hormones and chemicals to tell your body it is time to start labor. This is a natural process a woman  goes through when no intervention is administered. Just like any other mammal that gives life birth. A chemical and hormonal reaction begins the process, just how God intended.



Don’t misunderstand me. I am sure some women ARE truly high risk.  I am certain some mothers need extra tests, observations and procedures but not MOST women. Doctors have led us to believe that we are not capable of childbirth alone. Doctor’s regularly use the terms “big baby” and “big head”. “Small pelvis” and “small birth canal”. “Overdue and death by placenta” to scare mothers into unnecessary interventions. We often forget that God designed the women’s body just for this purpose. Women are meant to have children naturally.

I am not a doctor, health care professional or midwife. I am simply a mother who is sharing advice from first hand experience. If you are pregnant and faced with the ultimatum of c-section or induction, know your rights. Know that you have choices. Know that you are not alone.

If the only reason the doctors are talking about c-sections and inductions is your approaching due date, which can easily be miscalculated, then why do it? If you and baby are healthy and show no signs of decline, why force labor unnaturally and unnecessarily? If you’re not comfortable with the idea of a scheduled  c-section or induction, say no. You’re allowed to say no to your doctor and as a parent it’s your responsibility to choose. So choose wisely.