Induction of Labor: What to Know Before Saying Yes
There are many reasons someone might consider inducing labor.
Maybe there’s a legitimate health concern for you or baby where it’s safer for baby to arrive soon. Perhaps your baby is measuring "too big", & your medical team is worried about continued growth. Heck, maybe you’re just over being pregnant & you’re more than ready to serve that tiny tenant an eviction notice.
Whatever your reason, if you've done your due diligence & feel confident in your decision, the choice is ultimately yours to make, so own it!
When you hear the word “induction,” what comes to mind?
Do you flash back to your cousin’s horror story about a 72-hour labor? Do you immediately think of Pitocin? Or perhaps you remember your crunchy mom-friend rattling off all her go-to natural methods. Whatever comes to mind for you, in this blog, I want to break down the process of natural & medical inductions, the risks & benefits, & whether it is the right option for you & your little one.
What is an Induction?
An induction is simply a way to give your body a nudge towards labor. Usually, we’re only talking about inducing once you’ve hit at least 37 weeks (early term). At that point, baby’s chances of needing a NICU stay drop quite a bit.
Labor itself starts when your uterus switches gears from calm and relaxed to contracting on a steady rhythm. This helps your cervix soften, thin, and open, basically all the things it needs to do so baby can make their way down. Your body is built to do this on its own eventually, but sometimes you & your care team might decide it makes sense to speed things along.
One thing that’s worth asking before you agree to a medical induction is about your Bishop score. This score looks at how “ready” your cervix is & helps predict how likely an induction will work. A score of 8 or more usually means you’ve got a good chance of the induction working & having a vaginal delivery.
Now, inductions aren’t one-size-fits-all. The U.S. has seen rising induction rates in recent years, & while sometimes it’s absolutely the safest call, other times it’s not necessary. That’s why it’s so important to talk things through with your provider, ask questions, & make sure you’re part of the decision-making process.
Natural Induction Methods
Natural induction methods are things you can do to encourage your body to start labor sponteneously. Most of these methods on their own won’t flip the switch, but combining a few might help get things moving.
Sex
Yup! The way you got baby in can be the way to get baby out.Pros: Free, intimate, and relaxing (if you’re in the mood).
Cons: Not effective for everyone, and not safe if your water has already broken.
Nipple Stimulation
Stimulating your nipples releases oxytocin, which can trigger contractions.Pros: Mimics your body’s natural labor signals, can be done at home.
Cons: Can cause strong contractions if overdone, so go easy.
Movement & Exercise
Gentle movement (like walking, stretching, or figure 8’s on a birth ball) can help baby move into a good position.Pros: Great for your body and encourages baby to settle down into your pelvis.
Cons: It’s not a magic button, but it does set your body up well for labor.
Castor Oil, Herbal Teas & Spicy Foods
Some people swear by castor oil, raspberry leaf tea, or spicy foods. These can stimulate your digestive system, which may in turn get the uterus contracting.Pros: Easy to access and might work.
Cons: Research is mixed, and they’re more likely to upset your stomach than start labor.
Membrane Sweep
This is something your provider does during an exam by sweeping a finger between the cervix and amniotic sac. This can release hormones that trigger contractions.Pros: Done by a provider, sometimes gets labor rolling.
Cons: Can be uncomfortable, doesn’t always work, and may cause spotting or cramping.
*Remember, always check with your provider before trying natural methods, especially anything you’re ingesting.
Medical Induction Methods
Medical inductions happen in a hospital or birth center with your care team. It’s usually recommended if there’s a medical concern, if you’re overdue, or sometimes because your provider doesn’t want you going past 42 weeks gestation.
Here’s the thing: choosing one intervention doesn’t mean you’ve automatically signed up for all of them. For example, if you start with a cervical ripener and your body takes over, you might not need Pitocin at all. If you start on Pitocin and your contractions stay consistent & strong, you can opt to turn the Pitocin off to see if your body will naturally continue laboring in that pattern. Think of these as tools in a toolbox; you and your provider can decide which ones make sense as labor progresses.
Cervical Ripening Agents (Cytotec or Cervidil)
Pros: Helps soften and prepare your cervix, often used before anything else.
Cons: Can sometimes cause strong contractions or irritation.
Foley Balloon (Cook Catheter)
A small balloon is placed in the cervix and inflated to help it open.Pros: Non-hormonal, can be combined with meds, sometimes done as outpatient procedure so you can labor at home.
Cons: Can be moderately to extremely uncomfortable.
Pitocin (synthetic oxytocin)
Given through an IV, Pitocin starts or strengthens contractions.Pros: Usually very effective.
Cons: Can make contractions intense and too close together, baby may respond poorly.
Breaking Your Water (Amniotomy)
Your provider manually breaks your amniotic sac, aka artificial rupture of membranes (AROM).Pros: Can speed labor up depending on when it’s done.
Cons: Increases risk of infection, and once your water’s broken, there’s a time limit on when baby needs to come out.
So… What Should You Do?
Only you (with input from your provider/birth team) can decide if an induction is the right step.
A few things to ask yourself:
Is there a medical reason for this, or is it elective?
Is my body already showing signs that it’s gearing up for labor (like losing your mucus plug or having practice contractions)?
What’s my Bishop score?
What does my gut say?
As a doula, I support all kinds of births: spontaneous, induced, epidural, unmedicated, you name it, I’ve been there. The goal isn’t to follow a specific “plan,” but to feel informed & at peace with whatever decision you make, regardless of how labor begins.
Final Thoughts
Whether you choose natural methods, medical support, or a mix of both, remember: you always have options. Ask questions, weigh your choices, and lean on your birth team for guidance. If you’re in the thick of this decision & want someone to talk it through with, without pressure or judgment, I’m here to help. I offer prenatal sessions where we walk through your options so you head into birth feeling grounded, confident, & ready. Learn more about my services here.