Labor Induction

Labor is the process that leads to the birth of a baby. Labor usually starts on its own.

Labor induction is the use of medications or other methods to bring on (induce) labor.

More than 1 in 5 pregnant women in the United States have labor induced.

Labor may be induced for many reasons. Some medications used for induction also

can be used to speed up labor that is going too slowly.

This pamphlet explains

• reasons for labor induction

• when labor is not induced

birth. Labor induction may be recommended

if the health of the mother or fetus is at risk.

Some of the reasons for inducing labor

include the following:

• Your pregnancy has lasted more than 41

to 42 weeks.

• You have health problems, such as

problems with your heart, lungs, or

kidneys.

• ere are problems with the placenta.

• You have chronic hypertension,

preeclampsia, or eclampsia.

• You have prelabor rupture of

membranes (PROM).

Before labor is induced, your obstetrician–

gynecologist (ob-gyn) should review the

is going, and the possible risks for you and

induction may be needed even if it means

When you choose labor induction and you

and your fetus are healthy, it is called

elective induction. For example, labor may

be induced at your request for reasons such

as physical discomfort, a history of quick

labor, or living far away from the hospital.

If you are thinking about elective

induction, your ob-gyn should review your

records to be reasonably sure that you have

reached 39 weeks of pregnancy. Most

chance of cesarean birth. It may also reduce the risk of preeclampsia or gestational

hypertension. ese ndings apply only if:

• is is your rst pregnancy.

• You are carrying only one fetus.

• You and your fetus are both healthy.

Early labor is the time when your contractions start and your cervix begins to

open. If you have induction at 39 weeks, you should be allowed up to 24 hours or longer

for the early phase of labor. You should also be given oxytocin at least 12 to 18 hours

after stripping or sweeping of the membranes.

If labor does not progress, you may go home and can try induction again later. Or a

delivery unsafe for you or your fetus. Some

of these conditions include the following:

Placenta previa (the placenta covers

the opening of the uterus)

e fetus is lying sideways in the uterus

or is in a breech presentation

• Prolapsed umbilical cord (the cord has

dropped down in the vagina ahead of

In these situations, you may need a

and your fetus.

How Labor Is Induced

ere are several ways to start labor if it

has not started naturally. e choice

depends on several factors. ese factors

include your condition and the experience

of your ob-gyn. Several of these methods

the box “Cervical Changes”).

Your ob-gyn will check to see if your

cervix has started this change. e Bishop

score may be used to rate the readiness of the

cervix for labor. With this scoring system, a

number ranging from 0 to 13 is given to rate

the condition of the cervix. A Bishop score of

less than 6 means that your cervix may not

.

3.

Dilation—the amount that the cervix has opened. Dilation is measured in centimeters, from 0 centimeters

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Prostaglandins are medications that

can be used to ripen the cervix. ey are

usually longer than for a vaginal birth.

pregnancies. With each cesarean birth, the

risk of serious placenta problems in future

pregnancies goes up. In addition, the

number of cesarean births you have had is

a major factor in how you will give birth to

any future babies.

Labor induction sometimes is necessary to

protect the health of both you and your

best choice for you and your pregnancy.

Glossary

Amniotic Fluid: Fluid in the sac that holds the

fetus.

Amniotic Sac: Fluid-filled sac in a woman’s

uterus. The fetus develops in this sac.

Amniotomy: Artificial rupture (bursting) of the

amniotic sac.

Anesthesia: Relief of pain by loss of sensation.

Breech Presentation: A position in which the

woman’s abdomen.

Chorioamnionitis: A condition during

pregnancy that can cause unexplained fever

with uterine tenderness, a high white blood

cell count, rapid heart rate in the fetus, rapid

heart rate in the woman, and/or foul-smelling

vaginal discharge.

Diabetes Mellitus: A condition in which the

levels of sugar in the blood are too high.

Dilation: Widening the opening of the cervix.

Fibroids: Growths that form in the muscle of

the uterus. Fibroids usually are noncancerous.

Gestational Diabetes: Diabetes that starts

during pregnancy.

Gestational Hypertension: High blood pressure

that is diagnosed after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Genital Herpes: A sexually transmitted

infection (STI) caused by a virus. Herpes

causes painful, highly infectious sores on or

around the vulva and penis.

Hypertension: High blood pressure.

Intravenous (IV) Line: A tube inserted into a

vein and used to deliver medication or fluids.

Kidneys: Organs that filter the blood to

remove waste that becomes urine.

Laminaria: Slender rods made of natural

or synthetic material that expand when they

absorb water. Laminaria are inserted into the

opening of the cervix to widen it.

Obstetrician–Gynecologist (Ob-Gyn): A

centa covers the opening of the uterus.

Preeclampsia: A disorder that can occur during

pregnancy or after childbirth in which there is

high blood pressure and other signs of organ

injury. These signs include an abnormal amount

of protein in the urine, a low number of

platelets, abnormal kidney or liver function,

pain over the upper abdomen, fluid in the lungs,

or a severe headache or changes in vision.

premature rupture of membranes.

Uterus: A muscular organ in the female pelvis.

During pregnancy, this organ holds and

nourishes the fetus. Also called the womb.

This information is designed as an educational aid for the public. It offers current information and opinions related to women’s health. It is not intended

as a statement of the standard of care. It does not explain all of the proper treatments or methods of care. It is not a substitute for the advice of a