As your pregnancy progresses, you may experience excitement, anxiety or you may be so physically uncomfortable, you just want to get the baby out as soon as possible. While there are many over-the-counter ways that may or may not induce labor, and you could ask your healthcare team to induce you, waiting for labor to start naturally is ideal.
Sometimes [people are tempted to induce labor because the baby is “overdue” and people start to worry. Other times it’s just because people are tired of being pregnant and want to get the show on the road. But here’s the thing: inducing labor before your body is ready can be risky.
When you induce labor, you’re trying to force your body to do something it might not be ready to do. This can lead to complications like fetal distress, uterine rupture and more.
But perhaps most importantly, waiting for labor to start naturally can help you avoid unnecessary interventions. Induced labor often requires the use of synthetic hormones like pitocin, which can cause contractions to be stronger and more frequent than your body is ready for. This can be stressful for you and your baby and could lead to complications and additonal interventions.
Waiting for labor to start naturally means that your body is in charge. It knows when it’s ready to give birth, and will do so when the time is right. This means your labor is more likely to progress smoothly, and you’re less likely to need interventions.
When you wait for labor to start naturally, you’re more likely to have a positive birth experience. That’s right – letting your body do its thing can actually make your birth more enjoyable. When induced, you’re more likely to experience pain and discomfort, and might feel like you’re not in control. But when you’re naturally in labor you’re more likely to feel empowered and in charge of your own birth.
Waiting for labor to start naturally is the way to go if everyone is healthy. It can be frustrating to wait, but not only will you reduce your risk of complications, you’ll also increase your chances of having a positive birth experience.