Ready Mum Labour and Birth Preparation

17/01/2025

"I had an appointment with a consultant last week and was given a date for induction, although I wasn't really asked whether I wanted it and it was all very fast.

There's no medical reason for inducing me, it's just that I'll be 41 weeks pregnant on that date.

When I got home and thought about it and read more, I decided I wanted to cancel it.

But how do I do that?"

Induction of labour is one of the most commonly searched-for topics on my website.

A good many people arrive at www.sarawickham.com after searching for variations on the question, 'How to cancel a labour induction?'

There are sometimes really good reasons for recommending induction of labour.

But sometimes it's offered routinely, without thought for the individual, or for convenience.

One size doesn't fit all.

If you've been giving an induction date and you're happy about that, that's great. This post isn't for you. But too many women are being given dates for induction that they don't want.

So I have a blog post called "How to cancel a labour induction?" written for anyone who needs info on this.

Please feel free to send people to my site, and to share or repost this social media post (with the original pic, text and credit intact rather than putting Sara’s work/words in your own branding) in case somebody you know needs this information.

The blog post is available at https://www.sarawickham.com/riffing-ranting-and-raving/how-to-cancel-a-labour-induction/

09/01/2025

Well said

Doctors often recommend inducing labor with bigger babies to avoid a cesarean or injury to baby or mom during a difficult vaginal birth. Does it work?

08/01/2025

Attachment an Authentic - basic needs of life
It begins in pregnancy … learn today

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08/11/2024

I hear from many women who really wish they had understood the consequences of having certain tests carried out.

One of those that has the most impact is GBS or Group B Strep testing.

These days, it is all too common for women to be handed a urine pot by a GP’s receptionist without being given appropriate information.

They aren't told that they are being offered a screening test.

No-one tells them that the outcome of the test that will be carried out might have a huge impact on the options and care that will be available to (and in some areas denied to) them and their baby.

They aren't told about the long-term consequences of antibiotics.

Or that the result of their test may affect their options for years to come.

Even in future pregnancies.

As I often say, this isn’t about telling women what they should or shouldn’t do.

None of us can decide what’s right for someone else.

Some women really want GBS testing.

But others don't.

Or wouldn't if they were given the full facts.

It’s about ensuring that everybody has all the information before they decide whether or not to have a test.

Any test.

Loads more info about GBS on https://www.sarawickham.com/gbse

23/02/2024

Inuit woman nursing her twins
Alaska
early 1900s

23/02/2024

Whenever you're offered a medical test, take a moment to consider what will happen with the information gained from it.

Is this something you're happy with?

Could a particular result limit your options in any way?

If a screening test shows that you are carrying group B strep bacteria, have gestational diabetes or have a higher-than-average BMI, for instance, you might be told that you can't birth where you wanted to.

What are the alternatives?

There are always alternatives, including declining the test, or seeking care elsewhere.

Always remember it's your decision. You can say 'yes' or 'no' or 'I need time to think about this.'

And although not everybody realises this, you don't have to have those screening tests in the first place if you don't want them.

If you'd like to know more, or to better understand some of the wider issues around making decisions in pregnancy and childbirth, take a look at my book, "What's Right For Me? Making decisions in pregnancy and childbirth."

It was written to help women, parents and families to better understand how modern maternity care works and how you can make the decisions that are right for you.

More information at www.sarawickham.com/me

23/02/2024

In modern Western culture, most women and families know about induction of labour before they even become pregnant.

They know that induction is suggested when it is felt that it would be safer for the baby to be born than to stay inside its mother.

Many people also know that one of the main reasons for recommending induction of labour is because pregnancy has lasted for a certain number of weeks and the baby is perceived to be ‘overdue.’

Other reasons for offering induction include that the woman is older than average, that her waters have broken early and/or that she has a health problem or condition.

These days, induction is often suggested where someone has a high BMI, or has been told they have gestational diabetes.

But aren't necessarily evidence-based practices, as I write about in my books.

And there's a big focus these days on telling women when they are deemed to be 'at higher risk,' but not so much on explaining the downsides and risks of interventions like induction.

There are pros and cons to everything!

Some people think induction is oversold.

Some are concerned about how a lot of the 'official' information is geared to promoting induction and doesn't give the bigger picture.

There are many other aspects to the induction decision. That's one of the reasons that I wrote my book, In Your Own Time.

If you'd like to know more, I have a popular blog post which helps explain that bigger picture.

My blog post is called 'Ten things I wish every woman knew about induction of labour.'

I've just updated it, and I hope you find it useful.

It's at https://www.sarawickham.com/articles-2/induction-of-labour/

14/02/2024

23/01/2024

05/12/2023

When you birth not just one little human naturally but TWO!!! What a superstar!!! 💪✨

Image by IAPBP member from Brisbane, QLD Australia.

30/11/2023

What do you think when you look at this piece?

30/11/2023

Updated: October 2023 How many times have you heard “I had to have an epidural/c-section/ventouse/etc. because my baby was facing the wrong way”? An occipito posterior (OP) position occ…