shared decision making: during labor & delivery
Reasons for inducing labor
What is induced labor?
It is best to allow your body to go into labor naturally but your doctor may recommend inducing labor if there is a medical reason to deliver the baby sooner rather than later. Induced labor is when your care team gives you medicine or does a procedure to help your body start having contractions.
Why is labor induced?
Induced labor isn’t an option for everyone, and is not recommended before 39 weeks without a medical reason. Your care team may recommend induced labor if:
● You are one or two weeks beyond your due date (post-term pregnancy).
● Your water has broken or your membranes have ruptured but labor has not started
● There is an infection in the uterus.
● There are signs the placenta is not working the way it is supposed to, such as the baby is not growing well or there is too little amniotic fluid.
● Your placenta separates from the uterus lining (placental abruption).
● You have certain medical conditions, such as kidney disease, gestational diabetes or high blood pressure.
How is labor induced?
Inducing labor helps your body start having contractions. There are a few ways to induce labor, and all of them can take days to work:
● Stripping Membranes is a procedure done by your doctor or midwife. It releases the hormone prostaglandin which helps start contractions. In this procedure, your doctor or midwife will use their finger to gently separate the amniotic sac from the uterus. This procedure can be done at your doctor’s office, and most people will go home afterwards to wait for contractions to start.
● Prostaglandin suppositories are inserted into your vagina or cervix as a pill or a gel that slowly dissolves to release the hormone prostaglandin. This hormone helps get your cervix ready for labor.
● Oxytocin, also known as the brand name Pitocin, is a medicine that can start contractions. During spontaneous labor, your body naturally produces this hormone. Your care team will give you Pitocin through an IV. Pitocin can help start labor or speed up the pace of labor if it is progressing slowly.
What are some risks of induced labor?
It is important to talk with your care team about the options and risks of induced labor. Potential risks can include:
● Failed induction. Because we do not completely understand what causes labor to begin, our methods are not perfect and may not be successful. While most women can achieve labor with induction, about 1 in 4 inductions are not successful.
● Side effects of induction agents.
● Infection.
● Uterine rupture. Uterine ruptures are very rare, and it is when your uterus tears. If this happens, an emergency c-section is often performed.
● Uterine atony: when your uterus stops contracting after delivering the baby.
Induced labor is only done if it is safer for the mother and baby. If you have any concerns, talk with your care team.