Induced labor or labor induction refers to a procedure where the doctor uses specific methods to facilitate work and delivery. The ideal option is for the labor to start naturally on its own, as the labor induction process is not without its risks. This is precisely why we can talk about both pros and cons of induced labor. Essentially, a specific situation that could potentially endanger your unborn child or you warrants labor induction, such as being two weeks or more past the due date. High-risk pregnancies may also require the woman to go through the labor induction process. You can always put trust in our high-risk obstetrics at University Park, Florida, if you’re looking for the safest prenatal and postpartum care available.
Why Would Induced Labor Be Necessary?
It would be ideal if you went into labor at the precise 40-week mark. Sometimes things don’t go according to plan, though, and the delivery is delayed. Prolonged pregnancy can be dangerous for both you and your child if you have any of the following medical conditions:
- Low amount of amniotic fluid
- Fetal growth issues
- Preeclampsia
- Separation of the placenta from the uterus
- Incompatibility of parental Rh factors
- Uterine infection
- High blood pressure
- Gestational diabetes
If your water bursts before you start having contractions, your doctor may decide on labor induction. Labor has begun when you feel contractions, and your cervix starts opening. If you aren’t having contractions, your body may not be getting ready for labor properly.
Induced labor can be a good option if you have a history of giving birth rapidly or if your residence is really far from the hospital. After 42 weeks, medical professionals may decide to start the labor induction process since, at this stage, the placenta is unable to supply your baby with adequate amounts of oxygen and nutrition.
Inducing labor is also done to prevent preeclampsia from getting worse. When hypertension and a minimum of one additional complication occur, early delivery can help manage pregnancy-related high blood pressure.
How Is Labor Induced?
If your newborn is falling behind schedule, there are a couple of things you can do to help things along. Going to the doctor is the best and safest option. Medical intervention, such as medication or induction techniques, can facilitate labor.
The alternative is to attempt self-induced labor. Consult your physician or midwife before trying something, though. Verify that the induction technique you intend to use is risk-free for you and your unborn child and that you’re far along enough.
There are two different kinds of drugs used to induce labor. Prostaglandins are medications used to prepare the cervix for delivery. These meds are available for oral ingestion or for vaginal insertion as a suppository. There’s also a drug used to stimulate labor, namely Pitocin. It’s administered via intravenous infusion.
Pros and Cons of Inducing Labor with Meds
Essentially, the pros and cons of inducing labor are relatively straightforward, but which will prevail will depend on the individual case and health condition. That said, some of the main benefits of induced labor include:
- Decreased risk of emergency C-section for post-term women
- Lower risks of further health issues in regards to infections, preeclampsia, and hypertension
- Lower risks of potential complications involving water breaking without actual labor
On the other hand, there are labor induction risks, especially when medication is involved, such as:
- Infection
- Uterus rupturing
- Uterine overstimulation
- The distress of the unborn child
- Fetal heart rate dropping low
- Death of the baby
For instance, when using Pitocin, patients must be closely watched and confined to bed for the duration of their treatment. After administering Pitocin, contractions usually begin 30 minutes later. You also can’t eat. This is due to the potential for aspiration during an unexpected C-section. Both you and the baby could become exhausted due to the Pitocin-induced contractions that could prevent you from getting enough rest.
Other Labor Induction Methods
Inducing labor with medication isn’t your only option. Two more possibilities include membrane stripping and intentional water breaking.
When stripping the membrane, the doctor will use their fingers to separate the amniotic sac from the cervix gently. Although membrane stripping has a low-risk profile, medical professionals are split on whether it’s truly beneficial.
The doctor uses a little plastic hook to puncture the amniotic sac, a procedure known as “breaking your water.” Next, your baby will ascend to the cervical opening. After a few days, or perhaps a few hours, you can go into labor.
You can induce labor on your own if you prefer a more natural approach. Because of the lack of scientific evidence supporting their efficacy, expectant mothers should see a medical professional before trying some of these techniques. That said, going for a stroll is a low-stress and potentially effective technique to induce labor on your own. Depending on how you move, the baby may be able to slide down into place using gravity. Having sex is also beneficial. Prostaglandins are hormones found in sperm that cause the uterus to tighten. Your uterus will also respond favorably to your own orgasmic activity.
Labor Induction at 39 Weeks
While it’s better to let labor begin naturally, inducing it may be necessary if there is a problem with the pregnancy or the baby. Inducing labor could prevent the need for a cesarean section if the woman is otherwise in good health. Women expecting their first child are less likely to require a C-section if they go for labor induction at 39 weeks.
Inquire with your doctor if induction at 39 weeks is a good idea if the following statements are true for you:
- You are pregnant with only one child
- Both you and your child are completely healthy
- This is the first time you’re pregnant
Some risks associated with C-sections include excessive bleeding and infection. Surgical deliveries may be required in some situations, but they have the potential to complicate pregnancies in the future.
You’ll go to the hospital to have your labor induced. Depending on your doctor’s method to induce labor, the procedure can look different. Also, the doctor may use a variety of ways over several days to induce labor. There is a high likelihood that a vaginal birth will occur after induction. If nothing happens, it might be necessary to try again or go with a C-section delivery.
Being patient for labor to start naturally is recommended unless doing so would put either you or your baby in danger of serious complications. Inducing delivery before 39 weeks of pregnancy can cause more problems than it solves. However, if your doctor decides to induce labor for other medical concerns, you and your baby might benefit from the procedure. Before deciding to have an induction, discussing the potential benefits and risks with your doctor is essential. If you’re looking for expert prenatal and postpartum care and professional gynecological services in general, feel free to reach out to us at University Park OB/GYN.
