Women often trust nature to move things along when nearing the end of a pregnancy. However, when the baby settles comfortably in the womb, not intending to leave any time soon, alternative methods may need to occur. Care providers use a medically safe induction method to coax the baby into eviction.
Here are some helpful tips to help you prepare in the event you need inducing.
Ask Questions
You will want to do your due diligence in preparing yourself mentally, physically, and emotionally. Physically, you can pack a bag and go with the flow. Still, by asking your overseeing care provider any and all questions you may have, you will be better prepared for the process, both emotionally and mentally.
It’s scary to consider an induction because this goes against nature’s intentions and may force an eviction on your baby. So, ask the questions that come to mind to help digest the fact that induction may be best. And consider asking about alternative natural induction methods to cover all your bases.
A few key questions to consider are:
- Primary reasons for medical induction efforts.
- The fetal position and how this relates to induction outcomes.
- The induction measures your care provider will use.
- If your movements will be restricted.
- Anticipated outcomes and a corresponding brief outline.
Pack Your Bags
You may have already planned how you will pack your hospital bag, but induction is the best excuse for officially getting packed once you reach full term. Sometimes, women go into one of their final appointments and receive the unexpected news that induction is next.
Once you enter the 36th week and beyond, consider packing the bag and don’t forget your favourite forms of entertainment. The timeline can change dramatically from short to long and back again, so prepare for any waiting or potentially unknown situations.
Ensure Your Support Person Plans Accordingly
The person you pick to stand at your side, such as your partner, family member, or healthcare professional, should also have some involvement in these induction conversations and plans. This will ensure they can remain your go-to person throughout your labour and delivery because timelines change drastically depending on how well your body and baby respond to the intervention. You will also want to remind them to pack accordingly and bring additional entertainment.
Nourish and Eliminate
Once the induction plans are in place, take the opportunity to nourish your body and baby, and use the restroom if possible. While you can’t predict or plan for bodily elimination, you can at least encourage these efforts to occur early in latent phase labour or before arriving at the hospital.
Because timeframes can be uncertain, it’s advantageous to eliminate what you can before delivery. Worst case scenario, you eliminate during delivery. It’s essential to note that this action is normal, and your care providers will not be worried about this if it occurs on the delivery table.
Understandably, an induction might have been something you feared from the beginning. However, allowing nature to run its course is always the best course of action. And by preparing yourself accordingly, you can take on a medical induction easily. Trust your providers and body; you will be holding your baby soon enough.
Also, read: Pregnancy Diet: What to Eat and What to Avoid
