Lately, I’ve seen so many posts about induction. In social groups, people are asking whether they should proceed because their doctor told them they “have to.” Many are scared. They don’t fully understand what induction involves. They’re confused and wondering: Is this medically necessary?

As a doula, I’ve noticed induction rates steadily rising. I see this firsthand in the conversations I have with my clients every day.

Before becoming a doula, I had my two children. I did what I’d consider typical birth preparation — I took some classes and read a few books. But I wasn’t truly educated on what induction meant or what it entailed. I want to share my personal story to show just how common it is to be offered an induction — sometimes in ways that can feel sudden or unclear.

My Induction Offer Story

The week of my “40-week” appointment (I wasn’t quite 40 weeks yet), I had a cervical check and learned I was 3 cm dilated. At the time, I didn’t realize I had the right to informed consent and could have declined that check — something I now make sure all my clients know.

My OB noted that my blood pressure was slightly higher than usual and recommended a non-stress test (NST) later that week — which happened to fall on my due date. Physically, I felt as good as one can at the end of an August pregnancy: uncomfortable, hot, but ready to meet my baby girl.

The two nights leading up to my NST, I experienced what I thought were contractions. I timed them, hoping labor was starting, but they fizzled out and left me sleep-deprived. When I went in for the NST, everything looked great: baby was healthy, and my blood pressure had returned to normal.

My OB was on call that day and came to see me in triage. He told me that while everything was fine, my blood pressure could rise again, which might pose risks to both me and my baby. It was Thursday. He mentioned he’d be on call Saturday and suggested I come in then for an induction. He also casually noted he’d be leaving for holidays on Monday.

I left feeling confused. A seed of fear had been planted — what if my blood pressure spiked again? At the same time, my intuition told me that my body had grown this baby beautifully and that she’d come when she was ready. Even without much knowledge about induction, I knew I didn’t feel ready to say yes. So I declined the induction and went home to rest.

Later that afternoon, contractions began in earnest, and my daughter was born the next day — at 40 weeks + 1 day.

Why This Matters

My story isn’t unusual. Every day, people are offered inductions in similar ways. Often, they’re not sure whether the reason is truly medical. They aren’t always given enough information to make a clear, informed decision. Sometimes they agree, only to be told by the hospital to delay coming in — which understandably raises the question: If this is urgent, why are we waiting?

To be clear, there are absolutely valid medical reasons for induction, and this is not medical advice. There are also non-medical reasons why someone might choose an induction for personal reasons. The key is making an informed decision that feels right for you.

One helpful tool for these conversations is the BRAIN method:

• B — What are the Benefits of doing this?
• R — What are the Risks of doing this? What are the Risks of not doing it?
• A — What are the Alternatives?
• I — What does your Intuition tell you?
• N — Do you or your baby simply need More Time?

It’s also wise to ask your care provider directly:
👉 “Is there a medical reason for an induction at this time?”

For a deeper dive into both medical and non-medical reasons for induction, I highly recommend checking out Evidence Based Birth. They break down the research clearly, helping you make decisions that align with your values and circumstances.