Induced Labor

How can a doctor induce labor in a pregnant woman?

Induced Labor

Sometimes doctors feel that it is best to deliver a baby quicker than the body is capable of doing on its own. An induced labor is one that is started with medications or other medical interventions, rather than nature taking its course. Induced labors take place in nearly one out of every five births in the United States. Having an induction does not make you a bad mother. Although it may be hard to accept the likelihood of having to be induced, it may be what is best for the health of you and your unborn baby.

There are many reasons why an induction may be needed. When there is any type of concern over the well-being of mother or baby, an induction may be considered. If you have not delivered your baby two weeks past your due date and labor does not look imminent, and induction will be discussed. However, the most common reasons for inducing labor is when your water has broken and you are not having contractions, the placenta is beginning to weaken or has separated from the uterus, the baby has stopped growing, low amniotic fluid, infection in the uterus or you have a high risk pregnancy that could put you or the baby at risk. Most doctors do not like to induce labor if it is not needed.

Some women request to be induced. Often times, women feel that they no longer wish to be pregnant or want to schedule their labor date for a day that is convenient for them and their partner. Doctors generally do not like to induce labors for reasons that are not medically necessary due to possible unecessary risks. However, there are some doctors that may agree to an induction-especially if this is not your first baby and the baby's lungs are fully mature. Your doctor may also use your cervical measurements and other signs of impending labor to make an informed decision regarding a possible induction.

During an induction, your doctor may use a variety of labor inducing methods. Your membranes may first be stripped. Having your membranes stripped simply means that your doctor will be separating your bag of waters from your cervix. This can be uncomfortable and you may notice a bloody show afterwards. If your cervix has not begun to ripen on its own, you might have a prostoglandin gel inserted into your cervix to trigger contractions. The medicine can also be inserted as a vaginal suppository or swallowed in a pill. Often times, the medicine is given the night before a scheduled indiction. If your water has not already broke on its own, your doctor will most likely rupture your amniotic fluid. This is done by inserting a small plastic hook into your vagina and making a small tear in the sac. You will feel a warm gush of fluid that will continue to trickle out. Contractions usually begin to pick up soon after the water has broken. Most doctors like their patients to deliver within 24 hours of having their water broken. Medicine is usually given to develop a consistent pattern of contractions. The most common medicaiton given is pitocin, which is a synthetic form of oxytocin. Pitocin is given intraveneously through your IV drip and the dosage may be upped or lowered to create a stable pattern in your contractions. You will be hooked up to contraction monitors to measure the frequency and intensity of your contractions and a monitor will be placed internally or externally to measure your baby's heartbeat.

Many women wonder how long an induction will take. It varies from woman to woman. If your cervix has not dilated or effaced at all, an induction can take several days. However, some women will deliver within a matter of minutes to hours if their cervix is cooperating. Usually an induction takes longer for first time mothers and women who are not full term in their pregnancy.

You may have heard that induced labors hurt. Typically, the process of having your labor does not hurt. Some women say that contractions are more painful when they have their labors induced because they are regular and more frequent. The medicines that bring on contactions can create very strong contractions that often last too long. Pain medicine is available if you need it-simply ask your nurse or doctor.

There are some risks involved with having an induction. The biggest risk is that the pitocin can make your contractions too strong, too long or too close. This can put a great deal of stress on your baby and uterus. If this happens, your baby's heartrate may be affected and your dosage will need to be lowered or stopped. There can also be an increased risk of having to have a cesarean delivery if induction measures fail or labor takes to long to begin once your water has broken. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of having an induction.

Is your doctor using Cytotec for inducing labor?

Cytotec isn't approved by the FDA for labor induction. It's meant to treat ulcers. Even the drugs own manufacturer says it should never be used on pregnant women. Make sure to read this news article

Comments: Induced Labor

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mommysanurse - 676 days ago.
esposabella- I was induced with my daughter for low fluid 2 days before her due date. I really didn't think it was that bad, the whole thing was about 13 hrs, it was just annoying having to be constantly connected to the monitor and not able to move around as much as I would have like to. Otherwise it was nothing like I had heard it described, yeah it hurt but so does natural labor. I don't know if it hurts more or less as it was my first baby but in my opinion it wasn't that bad. (and I didn't have an epidural either, nothing wrong with them but I didn't want one)

esposabella - 678 days ago.
Ok found out today that im being induced at 38 1/2 weeks August 1st and im still terrified...i feel so stupid for being so afraid :(

AdresMama - 692 days ago.
Oh aaaannndddd after he said if I didn't get induced I wouldn't have been able to have her vaginally because she tore and he had to cut me :( so in all reality it was the best decision for me and her :)

AdresMama - 692 days ago.
I got induced 1 week before my due date. My doctor said her lungs were fully mature, and I was already 3 dialated. I was a little confused on why he wanted to induce me if I was dilating fine? But I went through with it and he gave me pitocin at 8:55am, contractions started about an hour later, definitely got the epidural and had her at 2:55 that day :) the contractions hurt, yeah but since she was my first I have nothing to compare them too. Lol. It wasn't a bad experience at all being induced. Even after all the b/s his mom gave me, and all the scary stuff I read about it. Haha.

esposabella - 692 days ago.
For medical reasons im going to be induced, more than likely at my 37 week m ark, right now im 33 weeks, has anyone tried using raspberry leaf tea to induce natural labour?

last baby - 786 days ago.
I personally love being induced I am on ky 5th and only 1 has been natural the sooner the baby get out the better for me

mizrice88 - 805 days ago.
I requested to be induced at 39 weeks and 5 days. They started cytotec at 6 pm I had 3 rounds contractions started at 230am and my water broke at 5am I was one centimeter. They startec pitocin at 6am. I was trying to go without pain meds but ended up getting an epi around 8am due to being in back labor. After 15 hours total I had only dilated to 4 so I had a csection. I knew the chances of it were higher for it when being induced. My doc was actually suprised by the fact that I mentioned it and that I was totally calm about it. If you are going to be ijduced keep an open mind about everything and know you might have to have a csection. I would do it all over again even the csection. I was determined to get my foley out and the only way that was going to happen was by me getting up and walking. Two hours after my csection I was walking. Best of luck to all.

tamme-baby4 - 809 days ago.
I was given pit with my second child. I thought it was great. My labor was extreamly fast and I didnt need pain meds. After the pit my baby was delivered in 30 min. and that beats hrs of horrible contractions like I had with my first. I am pregnant again with my 4th child and if dr wants to give me pit I will welcome it.

Leannas ♥ Mummy - 817 days ago.
what a stupid comment someones left for others to see who have to be induced.

veronikalg - 897 days ago.
Preg: I am too getting induced this Wednesday, his due date was dec. 14 but since he's a breech baby they want him out n don't wanna take risks because he us a small baby as well at 4lbs. So I have to get a c sec. :( I'll be 38 weeks this Wednesday when my son is born.

preg-with-1st - 898 days ago.
im 40 weeks and 3 days and my bby weighs 9 lbs already and my doctor is inducing me dec 13th

Twinks5 - 968 days ago.
Ha ha ha the maternity hospital i work at, women comein and asked to be induced so there child wont miss out on going to school!!! the dr's go mad and refuse, women who go in demanding induction, dont seem to have all the information, non of them know the risk, first time mums can be a failed induction, which ends up in an emergancy c/section!! I had to be induced with number 3, as i couldnt walk any more with SPD!! dear god never would i have agreed had i know what it is like, i have had my other 3 drug free, but with alex i had diamorph, gas and air, and was even thinking epadural!!

jmuncy - 1062 days ago.
I agree about only inducing if there is a medical reason. When I was pregnant with my son I was SO tired of being pregnant but even then I wasnt willing to be induced just because of that. I had her sweep my membranes and I truely think that would've put me into labor on my own had I not had to get induced due to low amniotic fluid. I had an ultrasound and my fluid was at a 5. Which is the lowest the scale goes. My mom said that only like a cup of fluid came out when they broke my water.

blessedagainwith10 - 1062 days ago.
I do agree that induction should ONLY be done for medical reasons. Otherwise, let nature take it's course. Doctor's can't know for sure how big the baby will be. I was huge for one (but it was mostly lots of water); midwife was amazed at how much water was still coming out! I've had all natural births and 1 induction (since my water broke on it's own; and 24 hours later no labour at all); was put on pitocin - that was the worse pain/labor ever compared to all my others. (and only had the option of gas). Due dates - 'are an approximate - 3weeks prior to 2 weeks later)'. Trying natural inductions are ok (if they work great / if not we wait some more)... like the stretch & sweep/nipple stimulation... I only did those once I was overdue (which they we're pretty much all overdue) lol

shiz - 1062 days ago.
It is hospital policy that doctors can not do an elective induction until the baby is 39 weeks. So if your doc wants to do it early-there is a reason behind it.

kayandrysmom - 1072 days ago.
Oh i forgot to mention for my induction all i needed was the gel they put on your cervix. I was not dilated at all when i went to get induced (this was at 12 days overdue!) but just that gel jump started my labor so i never needed the pitocin. I do agree that drs should not induce just bc someone is sick of being pregnant...i dont think people should be induced before their due date if its not a medical reason and my dr refuses to do that...he will not induce until you are approaching 2 weeks overdue and that is for medical reasons. I would have rather be induced at that stage then wait for it to be an emergency.

okynot - 1073 days ago.
I just wanted to say that I have had 7 inductions, all for different reasons, all well thought out and planned by me and my doctor, and if I had waited for my last living baby to come on his own he would have surely died and I didn't even know it at the time I scheduled it. When he was born he had the cord wrapped around his neck 3 times and had a true knot in his cord that would have tightened had he dropped, and that would have cut his oxygen supply off and strangled him, I looked at it as a blessing from God that he had the timing pre determined by means of the opportunity to schedule the induction. The doctors and nurses had never seen a true knot before where the baby didn't end up dead, and he was very lucky.

LANNiE - 1073 days ago.
So yesterday was my due date. Friday the 18th I probably will be getting induced if my little girl doesn't come on her own before then. But because of my needle phobia (it's horrible, trust me) we'll initially be trying induction with just the gel they put on your cervix and then breaking my water, but that will be discussed earlier in the day if I make it to that appointment. I don't really want to be induced due to the increased rate of a c-sec and my needle phobia, but other than that I'm not really too fussed if I have to be induced or if she comes on her own, though of course I'd prefer her to come on her own.

hihivikki - 1073 days ago.
I agree with the c-section thing. I had my two children naturally and would only want a c-section if it were for emergency reasons. I don't like the idea of epidurals either and have never had one and I would have gone with no pain relief in my labours if my pain threshold was better. I had pethidine and gas with both my labours but I do agree to some degree about having chemicals for no reason. I believe doctors have become too flamboyant with handing out drugs. I have no idea how bad the pain is for other women, so I am not one to judge. It does hurt though lol I can't argue that!

hihivikki - 1073 days ago.
I agree, kayandrysmom. I did not want to be induced with my children, I was very much against it. I was only 17 when I had my son and my mother called the shots on my induction and the doctor encouraged it, and with my daughter, the pain was unbearable i could not stand up, get out of or roll over in bed unassisted because the pain was so bad. I think it is an individual decision and there should not be anyone being nasty on here, we are all going through the same thing and come here for support.

kayandrysmom - 1073 days ago.
I believe being 12 days late ( my case) is a medical issue bc babies over 2 weeks late have alot of risks with placenta abruption and things of that nature....as far as meds...to each women their own!! no judging on that please!

jmuncy - 1074 days ago.
I got the epi about 5 hours in. But I did get two doses of stadol while it didnt take my pain away it helped me sleep and rest in between (you kind of feel drunk). I loved it but after the first dose it doesnt work as well. I was all for a natural labor but once I found out I was being induced I decided to keep an open mind so I wouldnt be dissapointed later, and I am glad I did. Granted an hour after I got the epi my son was born but I honestly would have done the same thing if I had to do it over again.

Mommy2Mason - 1074 days ago.
Oh and I was induced at 39 weeks b/c the doc said my baby was already over 9 pounds and didnt want him to get any bigger. RIGHT - Mason came out at 7.3 lbs. Pffffft........

Mommy2Mason - 1074 days ago.
I was started on pitocin at 7:30am and was 1cm dia at that time. Mild contractions started right away. By 1pm the contractions were getting pretty had so I had a dose of Nubane. at 6pm I was only 2 1/2 cm and couldnt take the pain anymore and had an epi. At 11:15pm I was still only 2 1/2 cm and the babys heart rate started dropping so I had to have an emergency c-section. Thank God I had the epi or I would have felt a lot more of the c-section as there was no time for drugs inbetween. Good luck ladies. I hope my story doesnt scare you. I had planned on an all natural birth as well but I just couldnt sit there in pain anymore with no progression.

hihivikki - 1074 days ago.
mommi2be, I had both my children induced. My first was because he was 9 days over (labour lasted 11 and a half hours) and my cervix was not doing anything. My second I was two days over (labour lasted 4 hours) but I had terrible sciatica pain and asked to be induced even though I wanted to go into labour naturally. My son is almost six and my daughter has just gone two and they are healthy and happy little campers. My husband and I have just discovered we are pregnant with our third and I really hope I will go into labour naturally with this little one, provided all goes well (due 19/02/11). Hope this was of some assurance. :)