Labor induction is where your doctor or midwife assists in initiating your labor rather than waiting for it to occur spontaneously. Typically, labor occurs when your body is ready—your cervix starts to soften, contractions begin, and your baby moves down the birth canal. But sometimes it does not occur on its own, or there's a medical reason it's better to give birth earlier.
Labor induction may be done with medications or physical techniques to initiate contractions and cause the cervix to open (dilate). Once labor is initiated, your body will (hopefully) take over and progress things.
There are a couple of reasons your healthcare provider may recommend inducing labor. Some are medical, and others may be because you are too far along in your pregnancy. Some common reasons are:
A normal pregnancy at term is typically around 40 weeks. If your pregnancy extends beyond 41 or 42 weeks, physicians will suggest induction to prevent harm to the baby or the placenta functioning less efficiently.
If your water breaks (this is when the liquid that surrounds the baby is released) but contractions don't start on their own, labor may be induced to reduce the chance of infection.
High blood pressure, gestational diabetes, or preeclampsia can make it not safe to carry the pregnancy too far. In such cases, induction serves to protect both mother and baby.
Occasionally, babies aren't receiving the right amount of nutrients during pregnancy and cease to grow normally. This is another reason your obs & gynae may recommend giving birth earlier.
Induction may occasionally be recommended for practical or emotional reasons, like if you are distant from the hospital or you have a history of extremely rapid labor. Induction in these instances is arranged in advance.
There are a number of ways labor can be induced, and your physician will select the most effective way depending on your body and your baby's health. The following are the most used methods:
Prior to the onset of labor, your cervix must soften, thin, and begin to open. If it's not yet ready, your physician might use medication. This is a pill or gel inserted close to the cervix.
A small tube with a balloon tip might be put inside the cervix. When water fills the balloon, it presses on the cervix to open it. This is a physical method of preparing your body for labor.
After your cervix is partially opened, the physician may break your water by tearing the sac that contains the fluid with a small hook. It is painless but can be slightly uncomfortable. After your water breaks, labor can accelerate.
Oxytocin is a naturally produced hormone by your body during labor. If your labor requires a push, your doctor may administer a man-made version called Pitocin by IV. This will cause contractions to start or intensify.
A combination of more than one method of induction is sometimes employed to induce labor. For instance, a physician would administer a medication to soften the cervix initially and later administer Pitocin a couple of hours later.
This is one of the most common questions: how long does induction take? The answer is—it depends.
For some women, labor starts quickly after the first method is used. For others, it can take a while—sometimes a day or more—before strong contractions begin. It often depends on:
If your cervix is already partially open, labor might begin earlier. But if your body isn't quite ready yet, it will take longer. The best part is that the doctors and nurses will closely monitor you and your baby throughout the entire process to ensure your safety.
Induction is slightly different from natural labor. Here's what you can anticipate:
Because medications are involved, the physicians will monitor your baby's heartbeat and your contractions closely. You might have to remain in bed more frequently than during a natural labor.
Some women report that contractions in induced labor may be stronger or occur more rapidly than in natural labor. This is because the drugs can speed things up.
Sometimes, despite the induction, labor does not go as planned. In that situation, your doctor can recommend a cesarean delivery (C-section). This will occur when the induction fails after several hours.
Induction can have numerous benefits, especially if it is induced medically. Some of the most significant benefits include:
Your doctor will only write a prescription for induction if they feel it's the best and safest choice for you and your baby.
Labor induction is usually safe. But as with any medical intervention, it does involve some risks. These are:
Doctors and nurses will monitor you and your baby closely to detect any problems early on and address them right away.
Some women try natural ways to induce labor at home, especially near or after their due date. These include:
Always check with your doctor before trying anything yourself. Some methods are not safe for everyone.
Learning that your labor will be induced may be a shock or even terrifying, especially if you were hoping to have things go naturally. But inducing labor is a normal and safe way of keeping you and your baby healthy.
Knowing about how induced labor is performed, how long it takes, and what to expect will reassure you. Remember, every labor is different, and your care team will be there for you every step of the way.
Whether labor proceeds on its own or with a little push, the most important thing is that you and your baby have a healthy and uncomplicated birth. If you have questions or worries, don't be afraid to bring them up with your doctor—they exist to advise and reassure you through this experience.
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