c-section rate inductionWe all have different views and beliefs about labor. That we can agree on. But just about everything else I am about to write about is up for debate.

Some feel strongly that being induced during labor will increase your chance of a c-section. Others don't think so. And there's others who hear the word Pitocin (drug used to induce labor) and don't want anything to do with it.

A new study reported in Science Daily says that inducing labor needs not increase cesarean risk.

Here are some highlights from that study....

How I read it was that the woman and her doctor can elect to induce labor or wait. Here's the problem: What if the woman wants to wait and the doctor doesn't?

The study goes on to point on that "the risks of induction must be weighed against the risks of staying pregnant. Near the end of gestation, as the fetus gets bigger, staying pregnant increases a woman's chance of needing a cesarean. And past the full gestational period of 40 weeks, the placenta may transmit oxygen to the fetus less efficiently. Thus, in labor, there may be an increased need to deliver via cesarean to prevent fetal distress."

Still, the research points out that doctors often try to induce, then proceed to c-section too quickly.

The bottom line is that a woman can be induced without increasing the chance of having a c-section if all parties involved are willing to wait it out if necessary.

Good takeaway from this study is for all pregnant women to discuss a induction scenario with their doctor before labor so they are aware of how the doctor would want to handle the situation. All concerns and thoughts should be voiced well before the due date.

What are you thoughts on inductions and c-section rates?