Inducing labor chemically

• Pitocin, Prepidil, Cervidil and Cyotec are labor induction agents

  which mimic the naturally-occurring influx of hormones that trigger labor in your body somewhere between week 36 and 42.

• Risks range from fetal distress to death

  Chemical induction results in a significantly increased risk of fetal distress, hypoxia (too little oxygen) and c-section - which carries its own set of risks. If you've already had one c-section, studies indicate Pitocin the second time around increases your risk of uterine rupture (OUCH!) by 28%.

• Chemical labor hurts more than natural labor

  Did we mention induction agents create contractions that're much stronger and more painful than what you'd naturally feel if left to labor on your own timetable? That's right, not only is induction more dangerous than waiting for labor to progress naturally, but it hurts more. Nice.

• Trust your body to know when it's ready for labor

  If there is no sign of real labor or infection then you should avoid induction altogether. Don't let your doctor scare you with reports of your baby being "too big". Not only are weight estimates often wrong (by up to three pounds), but many petite women have birthed 10 pound babies with nary a tear in sight.

• Your body knows how to give birth

  As you already know, your body has effectively carried and nourished your baby up until now. Think about it: the female body isn't some sort of rickety contraption which is hopefully capable of giving birth. No, this is what your body is designed to do - whether you believe in evolution or creation!