What They Don't Tell You About Inductions
127 Reddit comments reveal the informed consent crisis in elective induction
A recent thread on r/pregnant with 127 comments reveals what patients wish they'd known about induction: A pregnant woman considering scheduling an elective induction between 37-38 weeks turned to Reddit after Google searches scared her. She asked for real experiences from women who had been induced to help inform her decision.
Summary of Comments
The thread (127 comments) reveals a stark information gap between what patients are told and what they actually experience. Common surprises include: inductions can take up to three days, contractions from pitocin are often more intense than spontaneous labor, the Foley balloon catheter is frequently described as extremely painful, and many women weren’t allowed to eat for extended periods. Multiple commenters note that early inductions when the body “isn’t ready” frequently end in cesarean sections. One commenter observed that in many developed countries, inductions are only performed for medical indications, suggesting U.S. practices may prioritize hospital logistics over patient needs. Perhaps most telling: the original poster was considering a 37-38 week induction for what appears to be convenience, while multiple commenters and even her own provider seem to have different standards about when elective induction is appropriate.
