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| |    Common Beliefs About Induction of Labor by Elisa Ross, MD reviewed by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. Belief: Using Pitocin will cause the contractions to be too strong for the baby to handle. Reality: When Pitocin is used to induce labor, both the baby's heartbeat and the timing of the uterine contractions are monitored carefully. If the baby's heart rate shows a worrisome pattern in response to the contractions, the dose of Pitocin is lowered. Sometimes the strength of the contractions is measured directly using an internal monitor. Belief: Contractions induced by Pitocin hurt more. Reality: Some mothers have heard that contractions from Pitocin hurt more than natural labor. Of course, it is impossible to compare different experiences of labor, but most medical practitioners think that Pitocin-induced contractions mimic real ones; that is, in the beginning they are weaker and then grow more intense, and that overall they are comparable in strength. Why does it seem like women often report increased pain? Perhaps the mother's mindset is different during an induction, or she might feel more uncomfortable because she is prevented from walking around (because of the monitors). Maybe the labor seems to take longer since all of it happens in the hospital. Or it could be that each time we labor, we are impressed anew at the intensity of the experience! Belief: Induced labor will just end up requiring a cesarean section. Reality: While most inductions result in the vaginal delivery of a healthy baby, there is, in fact, a higher chance that induction of labor will lead to a cesarean birth. For this reason, induction usually is reserved for times when delivery is clearly preferable to allowing the pregnancy to continue until labor starts naturally. Belief: Induction of labor is a good way to allay fears about labor or deliver on a schedule. Reality: Some mothers wish that they could be induced because they are tired of being pregnant. Others have scheduling concern, or worries about the baby getting too big for a vaginal delivery. There are indeed circumstances in which any of these might be a reason to induce labor, but a careful consideration of the potential risks and benefits needs to be made.
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