Labor Induction

When a pregnant woman is unable to continue pushing or when a caesarean section (C-section) is not feasible, labor may be induced. Labor induction is a procedure to stimulate uterine contractions before labor begins naturally. The causes for labor induction include:

• Approaching 2 weeks beyond due date

• Labor hasn’t started naturally

• Water has broken, but a woman is not having contractions

• Infection in the uterus

• Baby has stopped growing at expected pace

• Lack of amniotic fluid surrounding baby (oligohydramnios)

  • Leads to lung immaturity

• Placenta has begun to deteriorate

• Placenta peels away from inner wall of uterus before delivery

  • Partial or completely

• Associated medical condition putting the baby at risk

  • Diabetes

  • High blood pressure

  • Hypo/hyperthyroidism.

Risks associated with labor induction are:

• Need for C-section

• Premature birth

• Low heart rate (bradycardia)

  • Diminish your baby’s oxygen supply

• Infection for mother and baby

• Umbilical cord complications

• Uterine rupture

• Bleeding after delivery.

Labor induction is not for:

• Women with prior C-section

• Placenta blocking the cervix – placenta previa

• Baby is lying crosswise in uterus – transverse fetal life

• Active genital herpes infection (HSV 2)

• Birth canal too small to allow for normal birth.

The process may only be performed in a hospital with appropriate monitoring. Women who reside in Denver should visit the Denver Holistic Center for more information. Here are some things the physician will do beforehand:

• Strip or sweep the amniotic membranes

• Ripen the cervix – using synthetic prostaglandins

• Manually break a pregnant woman’s water – amniotomy or rupturing the membranes

• Intravenous medication – oxytocin to induce labors or prevent hemorrhaging.

Conclusively, this is a risky procedure and each and every pregnant woman should be made fully aware of the risks and impediments.