Induced Labor

Labor induction is a way to help get your labor started. This can protect your health and your baby's, too. Even when labor is induced, it can still take you up to a few days to give birth. Your doctor or other health care provider may talk with you about labor induction as your due date nears. You'll discuss whether you'll need help to start the birth process.

Reasons for Inducing Labor

Your doctor may want to induce labor for one of many reasons. These include:

• Being past the due date

• Preeclampsia (high blood pressure with related health problems)

• Certain diseases, such as diabetes

• Low amniotic fluid

• A ruptured bag of water or other risk factors that can affect the baby's health

Ways to Induce Labor

Your doctor can get your labor started by using any of three methods. He or she also may combine these methods. You may have treatment to prepare your cervix (the lower end of your uterus) for the birth process. Or, you may have medicine that can start contractions. Here are some common treatments for inducing labor:

Prostaglandin may be given in your doctor's office. You may then be sent home to wait for your cervix to ripen.

Other methods of inducing labor are done in the hospital. You'll need to stay there until you give birth. Monitors may be attached to your belly. These measure contractions and help make sure your baby has no problems. No matter how your labor is induced, a few factors may affect how long it takes you to give birth. These include how long it takes for your cervix to thin and open and when contractions begin.

Give Yourself Time

It may take time before you go into labor. Even though inducing labor gets the process started, you still may need to wait. Mothers who have labor induced most often give birth within a day or so. But it can take you as long as a few days to give birth.

If You're Sent Home

In some cases of cervical ripening, you may be sent home for a while. But be ready to go to the hospital as soon as you feel regular and strong contractions. You should go to the hospital right away if your bag of water breaks or if you can't feel your baby move.

Risks and Complications

With labor induction, you may have a greater chance of having:

• A cesarean section (surgical delivery)

• An infection

• A longer hospital stay

• Waiting for Delivery

• Inducing labor may take time. While it can get labor started, there's no way to know when you will give birth. But with your doctor's help and a little patience, you'll soon be ready to have your baby.