Let’s talk about the induction of labor.
As you get closer to your due date, your body begins to prepare for labor and delivery, including the softening, thinning, and opening of the cervix. Your medical provider will conduct a vaginal exam at your regular appointments to assess this progression.
Sometimes, your birth team will recommend a labor induction, which uses medicines or other methods to stimulate contractions and bring about a vaginal birth.
What are some reasons that labor might be induced?
Induction is primarily for the safety of both mother and baby. Here are some of the main reasons:
Your pregnancy has lasted more than 41 or 42 weeks. A post term pregnancy can potentially mean a decrease of amniotic fluid or a larger baby.
It is before your due date, but there are problems with the placenta, growth of the baby, or an infection. In these situations, labor would only be induced if your medical provider determines an early delivery is the safest route.
You have hypertension, preeclampsia, eclampsia, gestational diabetes, or prelabor rupture of membranes.
What are some reasons that labor might NOT be induced?
Even if you meet the above criteria, there are situations when a vaginal delivery would be unsafe and labor would not be induced. These include the baby being sideways or breech, placenta covering the opening of the uterus (placenta previa), the umbilical cord in the vagina (prolapsed cord), certain infections, or a previous surgery involving the uterus (some cesarean births or the removal of uterine fibroids).
A cesarean birth may be the best option for these situations.
How is labor induced?
There are several options for inducing labor.
First, certain medicines, made up of chemicals made naturally by the body, can be used to ripen (soften, thin, and open) the cervix.
Next, devices, like laminaria (thin rods that expand) or a catheter with an inflatable balloon on the end can effectively open the cervix.
Your medical provider may also recommend stripping the membranes if the cervix is starting to dilate. This procedure causes your body to secrete prostaglandins, which brings about labor.
Another option is receiving the hormone Oxytocin through an IV to start or speed up labor.
A final method is to “break your water,” by rupturing the amniotic sac that surrounds the baby.
Let us help you!
Tennessee Family Doulas provides childbirth education classes to help you learn about and prepare for all aspects of labor and delivery. Reach out to learn more about our services!
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