Lie (noun): a false statement made with deliberate intent to deceive; an intentional untruth; a falsehood.
Deceit (noun): the act of causing someone to accept as true or valid what is false or invalid
1. Ultrasound is always accurate for predicting baby’s weight.
- Cochrane Review regarding induction for macrosomia
- Milner, J. & J. Arezina. (2018) “The accuracy of ultrasound estimation of fetal weight in comparison to birth weight: A systematic review.” Ultrasound. 26(1): 32–41.
- Evidence on Induction or Cesarean for Big Baby (includes links to peer reviewed scientific articles about weight prediction accuracy)
- Ultrasound Accuracy for Pregnancy Issues (includes links to peer reviewed scientific articles about all the things ultrasounds are used to assess).
2. Induction doesn’t increase your risk of needing cesarean surgery.
This one REALLY depends on your provider sooo much. Most are using the ARRIVE trial to justify recommending induction of labor for everyone at 39 weeks saying that it decreases the need for cesarean surgery, even though there are lots of other interventions (such as having a doula) that are even more effective and a better use of resources. Both ACOG & ACNM have come out saying that this is NOT how this study should be used (hello confirmation bias), and we have multiple studies saying that induction actually increases the risk of needing cesarean surgery, including this study published in 2021.
Please note, we know that waiting for labor to begin on its own has lots of benefits, but sometimes induction is absolutely the right choice. We just want you to have an open and HONEST conversation with your provider about it!
3. Oxytocin is the same as pitocin (syntocinon).
- While they might be molecularly identical, how we get them matters.
- They really do different things in your body.
- Oxytocin is a really important hormone even after you have your baby, & using the fake stuff (and pain medication) can inhibit its natural production.
4. Pushing on your back is best.
- “unless women feel comfortable in these positions, otherwise lithotomy and supine position should be avoided for the increased risk of severe perineal trauma, comparatively longer labor, greater pain, and more fetal heart rate patterns.”
- “healthcare professionals are recommended to decide the appropriate birth position by considering the individual risk factors and preferences of the women.”
- “Flexible sacrum positions were associated with fewer episiotomies.”
- You are more likely to have an anal sphincter injury when you push laying flat on your back.
- Not being on your back can shorten the pushing stage & lessen the risk of episiotomy or assisted delivery.
- Squatting is GREAT.
- Changing positions can really help too.
- You don’t have to be on your back, even if you have an epidural!
5. Breastfeeding is always easy.
NO it really isn’t easy, just because “it’s natural.” We have to stop telling people it is.
If you are struggling with breastfeeding, we would be happy to help you find the local help you might need or want. We’ve been there from cranio-sacral therapists to tongue-tie evaluations to IBCLCs to SNS octopus feedings and beyond. We’d also love to talk to you about the proper preparation of infant formula if that is something your family has decided to use sometimes or even all the time.
In Conclusion
We like to follow the evidence. We come to our clients without agenda to give them the best information available. We don’t appreciate these all too common lies told to pregnant people. We want to help families make the best decisions for themselves based on their individual circumstances, desires, fears, and needs while taking all the science into consideration. We’re even happy to talk to you about which providers might be a good fit for you based on our experiences.
Did any of these lies surprise you? Hop on our Instagram & tell us about it!
