Why Induction is Always More Painful Than Natural Labor
Reconsider the medical necessity for induction
Hey there! Today, I want to talk about something many expecting mothers wonder about: why induction tends to be more painful than natural labor. Understanding this can help you make informed decisions about your birthing plan and explore alternatives that might make the experience more comfortable.
❤️ The Role of Oxytocin in Natural Labor ❤️
In a natural labor process, your body produces a hormone called oxytocin. Oxytocin plays a dual role: it triggers contractions and also provides a sense of calm and confidence, helping to relax your mind. This natural hormone is often referred to as the "love hormone" because it promotes feelings of well-being and bonding.
During natural labor, oxytocin is released in pulses, allowing your body to build up contractions gradually. This natural ebb and flow helps your body manage the intensity of labor, and the emotional effects of oxytocin provide comfort and reassurance.
Pitocin: The Synthetic Oxytocin
When labor is induced, a synthetic version of oxytocin called Pitocin is administered. While Pitocin effectively stimulates contractions, it lacks the emotional benefits of natural oxytocin. This is because the synthetic hormone is composed of large molecules that primarily target the uterus to induce contractions. However, it does not replicate the small molecules of natural oxytocin that can pass into the brain and provide relaxing and confidence-boosting effects. Pitocin focuses solely on inducing contractions, leaving out the emotional and pain-relief benefits that natural oxytocin provides
🥲 Why Induced Labor Feels More Painful 🥲
So, why does induced labor feel more painful? It largely comes down to how your body experiences contractions. In natural labor, the gradual build-up of contractions and the emotional support from oxytocin help manage pain. But with Pitocin, the contractions are usually stronger, more regular, and come on more quickly, which can be overwhelming for your body to handle.
Additionally, the natural release of oxytocin helps your body produce endorphins, which are natural painkillers. When labor is induced with Pitocin, this natural process is disrupted, often leading to a greater perception of pain.
There's also an emotional component. When induction is necessary, it can bring a sense of urgency and pressure, making you feel like something is wrong or that your body has failed in some way. This stress and anxiety can hinder the natural secretion of endorphins and oxytocin, which are crucial for pain management and emotional well-being during labor. The emotional strain from feeling pressured or worried can create a feedback loop, making it even more difficult for your body to relax and respond positively to labor, further intensifying the perception of pain and discomfort. Understanding and addressing this emotional component is essential for a more positive and supportive induction experience.
🌿 Acupuncture: A Natural Way to Ease Induction Pain 🌿
One effective way to mitigate the pain of induced labor is through acupuncture. Acupuncture has been shown to release endorphins, which are your body’s natural painkillers. This helps to alleviate pain and promote relaxation.
Moreover, acupuncture stimulates the release of natural oxytocin. By encouraging your body to produce its own oxytocin, acupuncture can help bridge the gap left by synthetic Pitocin. This dual effect—releasing endorphins and promoting natural oxytocin—can make the induction process less painful and more efficient.
Acupuncture is particularly effective at inducing labor if started at 36 weeks of pregnancy, with sessions once a week. This regular stimulation prepares the body gradually, enhancing its natural readiness for labor and making the process smoother and less painful. And if you don’t know by that time if you will need an induction for a valid medical reason, that’s even better: you can still start acupuncture sessions as prevention and avoid any necessity for induction because your body will be ready to start labor anyway!
✨ How Acupuncture Helps to Induce Labor ✨
Now, let’s talk about how acupuncture fits into this picture. Acupuncture can help induce labor by increasing oxytocin levels and promoting relaxation. Here’s how it works:
Relaxation and Stress Reduction: Acupuncture helps your body relax, reducing stress and anxiety.
Oxytocin and Relaxation: When you’re relaxed, your body is more likely to produce oxytocin, the hormone necessary for labor. By calming your mind, acupuncture helps reduce anxiety and fear, which can be major obstacles to labor.
Oxytocin Secretion: Oxytocin, the hormone crucial for labor, is produced in the archaic brain—the part of your brain that operates on instinct and trust in your body’s natural abilities.
Instinct and Trust: When you feel calm and confident, your body is more likely to produce oxytocin. This hormone drives labor by promoting contractions.
Anxiety and Fear: On the flip side, when you’re anxious or fearful, your neocortex (the thinking part of your brain) becomes more active. This can inhibit oxytocin production because the neocortex and the archaic brain work in opposition.
Acupuncture’s Role: Acupuncture helps quiet the neocortex, reducing anxiety and promoting a calm, confident mindset. This mental relaxation is crucial for enabling the archaic brain to take over and produce the oxytocin needed for labor.
Endorphin Release: Acupuncture doesn’t just help you relax; it actively promotes the hormonal balance needed to start labor. When those tiny needles go through your skin, your body releases endorphins.
Natural Painkillers: Endorphins act as natural painkillers and mood boosters, helping you feel more comfortable and positive.
Boosting Oxytocin: Endorphins are agonists with oxytocin, meaning they trigger and boost oxytocin secretion. This dual action supports your body in reaching the hormonal balance needed to initiate labor. This increase in oxytocin and endorphin levels enhances the sensitivity of oxytocin receptors in your uterus, making it more responsive and ready for contractions.
Acupuncture doesn’t just work on a emotional level; it also profoundly affects your physical state.
Relaxation of Tendons and Ligaments: Acupuncture helps relax your tendons and ligaments, making it easier for your pelvis to open.
Pelvic Opening: When your pelvis is relaxed and open, there is more space for your baby to descend into the birth canal.
Baby’s Descent: This descent is a key trigger for the release of prostaglandins, hormones that help soften and ripen your cervix, preparing it for labor.
Overall Hormonal Balance: By promoting both physical relaxation and mental calmness, acupuncture helps create the optimal hormonal environment for labor to start naturally
Acupuncture works holistically to create a supportive environment for labor to start naturally.
🤔 Medical reasons for induction 🤔
Now let’s talk about concretely, what are the medical reasons for induction.
There are valid medical reasons for induction, such as when the bag of water has been ruptured for more than 48 hours (not the commonly heard 12 hours), or if the pregnancy extends beyond 42 weeks (rather than the usual 40 weeks). Other conditions that necessitate induction include medical complications like gestational diabetes requiring insulin (not the type managed without insulin), hypertension, or preeclampsia. These situations require induction to protect the health of both the mother and baby. However, it's crucial to be cautious about induction without a medical reason. For example, simple gestational diabetes without complications like a large baby, insulin use, or an abnormal non-stress test is not a valid reason for induction. Inducing labor without a genuine medical need can increase the risk of complications such as C-sections and other interventions. It's always best to consult with a knowledgeable midwife or healthcare provider to ensure that induction is not done for convenience but rather for genuine medical needs, respecting the natural physiology of birth.
I understand that it can be challenging to determine if an induction is necessary. I encourage you to reach out to me for guidance on these decisions. With my background as a french midwife and my independence from any hospital affiliations, I can provide unbiased advice focused solely on what is best for the physiology of your birth. My goal is to support you in making informed choices that align with your health and well-being. This approach helps avoid unnecessary medicalization and supports a safer, more natural birthing process.
⚖️ Finding the Balance ⚖️
Understanding why induction is more painful than natural labor really shows why it’s important to look at all parts of your birthing plan. While Pitocin can get the job done, it misses out on the emotional and pain-relieving perks of natural oxytocin. Checking out alternatives like acupuncture can give you a more balanced approach, mixing necessary medical stuff with natural pain relief and emotional support.
Every birthing experience is unique, so it's all about finding what works best for you. By knowing your options and what they mean, you can make choices that fit your needs and help you have a more comfortable and positive labor experience.
If you want to learn more about induction, Book an appointment with me today here.
