Labor Induction: Could it have any psychological effects on the baby?

Mumsy Pop March 1, 2023

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Labor induction is a common maternal care practice that is almost considered a normal delivery method in the United States. And of course, there are benefits to mothers and babies when the reasons for induction are medically indicated, such as low amniotic fluid, IUGR and regarding symptoms of pre-eclampsia. But there is a 42.9% induction rate for first-time deliveries [1]we might want to look at the ways this common practice can influence an infant’s psychological makeup. Note that in 1990, there was an average induction rate in the US of 9.5% [2].

We know that labor induction has some physical risks to the baby: prematurity, if the assessment of the gestational age is inaccurate. Babies born prematurely are at greater risk for breathing and feeding difficulties. Fetal distress is also possible during induction. There are some other risks that occasionally occur, such as neonatal jaundice, neonatal retinal hemorrhage, lower APGAR scores and greater maternal risk.

c-section which can result in temporary separation from the mother [3]. Of course, any of these physical complications can affect the baby’s optimal well-being, but have we considered the long-term, more subtle psychological effects of forced labor on the baby?

From an article posted on www.nationalpartnership.org, the following statements were made about induction of labor, “Labor induction is a key intervention that shortens the essential preparations for safe, healthy birth and more that take place in a woman’s body and her fetus until time for labor to begin. itself. We currently do not fully understand the potential harms of shortening the pregnancy and using different methods to induce labor. These can have adverse effects on important outcomes such as heavy bleeding after birth, initiation of breastfeeding, maternal mood, maternal behavior and mother-infant attachment.” [4]

I recently read an interesting article about the possible psychological effects on the baby as a result of labor induction, in an article from Karen Melton, a Somatic Pre and Perinatal Psychologist, in the UK with 38 years of experience working with babies, children, adults. and families. His article, “Induction of Labor and How It Affects Your Baby” [5], caught my attention especially since there are 3 generations of first-born inductions of labor in my own family. Her research suggests some interesting takeaways on how labor induction can affect a baby’s psychological makeup, “In a natural birth, the baby initiates labor, releasing a chemical that starts contractions. When the baby doesn’t start his own labor, he forgets an important part of the important imprinting that will make it difficult for him to start any new (paths/activities) in his life. He may have difficulty feeling the his inner impulse to start (new things), and start. Think how many times a day you move in the order of starting something, moving from the middle of the activity to the end, finish it and then include your experience afterwards.” Karen Melton’s concern is that induction can rob an individual of the drive or initiative to complete certain tasks and goals. It appears that there may be a long-term psychological effect induced by labour/birth. The effects of not being a determining factor when childbearing begins, may influence how the future child and/or adult meets a new challenge or begins new life activities. According to Melton, there can be an inherent resistance to being forced into a new activity or adventure, if it is not their own idea. Another way that the experience of labor induction can “stamp” a baby, is that in the future, they feel inadequate to start new activities without prompting from an outsider. They don’t necessarily have confidence in their own ability to try something different or new.

I have a high regard for respecting mother nature and how birth occurred spontaneously in the many generations that gave birth before 2000. Like other creatures who have the freedom to know when to begin their own arrival on the planet (think of a Monarch butterfly ” know that” it is time to emerge from its cocoon or when an elephant calf has reached the optimal term of pregnancy, childbirth begins with a cascade of hormones, which support the birthing process for both mother and her children. But as current data on the rising rate of US labor inductions, we as a society clearly value control and dominance over a normally occurring physiological event. Of course, aside from the medical necessity for induction, where the benefits outweigh the risk of waiting for spontaneous labor, one may learn more about the potential psychological impact on the newborn, sway us to consider more carefully, the value of the “comfort” induction made in the US?

About the Author

I became a labor doula in 1999 after meeting Tracy Wilson Peters for coffee one day after picking up her business card at a baby gift shop. I casually support my friends and family through their birth experiences and at home after birth. I am so excited to be a birthing professional!

I co-doulaed with Tracy (one of the original founders of CAPPA) in my early career and learned a lot. As a single mom with a full-time career in sales/marketing, I creatively made time for my passion project of developing as a birth professional. In 2003-2004, I began an apprenticeship with a busy local postpartum doula. I realized how much I enjoyed caring for new moms at home after birth—helping them breastfeed, guiding them through baby care and calming tips and helping them keep focused on bonding with their baby.

After becoming certified as a postpartum doula, I have had the privilege of caring for over 100 local families over the past few years. About 5 years ago, I began my journey as a childbirth educator and discovered how much I loved teaching–even though I had shied away from it for a few years. I appreciate the opportunity to inspire and empower young expectant couples as they prepare for childbirth. Having now coached over 500 couples in group and private settings, I get excited every time I meet a couple looking for a low-key birth experience. I am honored to act as a mentor and teacher to women who are ready to accept their role as birth doulas and childbirth educators.