Labor Induction

Labor Induction

Labor Induction is a medical procedure commonly employed in certain situations, including but not limited to: pregnancy that goes on for too long over the due date (typically over two weeks), absence of contractions after the water breaks, when the patient is suffering from uterus infections, diabetes or hypertension (or generally affections that can be treated once the baby is born), or when the baby is surrounded with an insufficient quantity of amniotic fluid. In the case of a pregnancy that goes on past the due date, the patient becomes exposed to several risks, such as the baby becoming too big, or being unable to obtain sufficient food from within the mother’s body. As such, Labor Induction is recommended in order to ensure safety for both the baby and the mother.

However, all patients must know that these are not the only medical reasons for which one may employ this clinical procedure. For example, in case the baby is suffering from IUGR (a common medical abbreviation that stands for Intrauterine fetal growth retardation), applying Labor Induction can prove highly beneficial. Furthermore, mothers who have scheduling concerns can also discuss with their personal gynecologist the possibility of undergoing this medical procedure. Such a patient will be informed of all the advantages and disadvantages that this clinical method involves.

In the unfortunate case of fetal death, this medical procedure is probably the best way to handle the situation. Although labor can be medically induced due to various reasons, it is important for all patients to know that this type of medical procedure is associated with certain risks; this is one of the main reasons for which numerous medical providers from all over the world who specialize in this medical field strongly recommend all females to avoid undergoing this procedure unless for a valid medical reason (we have listed some of these reasons in this chapter of our presentation).

Labor Induction Description

Labor Induction is typically employed in situations where it is not possible or very hazardous to wait until the normal delivery date. This however exposes the mother (and the baby as well) to higher risk for complications such as placental abruption, uterine rupture, fetal distress or premature baby. Also, certain medical procedures are required more often in cases where this procedure is applied. Cesarean sections are more frequent in the case of mothers that choose to give birth through Labor Induction, as are interventions such as continuous fetal monitoring and administration of pain relief medications. However, in most situations, the benefits that are obtained through this procedure clearly outweigh the risks involved.

After a thorough assessment of the situation, the doctor may decide that it is necessary to induce labor by use of medication (the exact procedures and medicines that may be employed are described in the next chapter). He or she will discuss the situation with the patient, informing her about the reasons why Labor Induction is recommended and presenting the risks involved. This procedure may only be employed with the patient’s consent.

Before undergoing this medical procedure, it is recommended that the patient does not eat very much; the medicines may induce very strong contractions and may cause stomach upset. It is best that you inform the supervising health care specialist if you require aid in managing the pain. In such cases the physician may direct the administration of pain relief medication. While normally this procedure does not take long to complete, in certain situations (for example if the patient is delivering her first baby or if the procedure is employed very early) induction of labor may take up to two or three days. In most cases, the procedure is successful and allows vaginal delivery of the baby.

Labor Induction Related Medication

There are several procedures which may be employed in order to induce labor, and we will describe the most common of them below. In general, they cause little to no discomfort to the patient.

The stripping of the membranes is a short medical procedure which involves the loosening of the amniotic membranes from the lower part of the patient’s uterus. This procedure is employed during a pelvic exam and requires the physician to insert a finger between the cervix and the amniotic membranes. Labor Induction may also be performed through an artificial rupture of the membranes, with the aid of an amniohook. During this procedure, the specialized physician will make a hole in the patient’s amniotic membranes.

Another procedure involves the insertion of a small rubber tube known as a foley catheter into the cervix, through the vagina. Once in position, the physician will inflate the end of the catheter in order to apply pressure and cause the cervix to dilate. Once the desired dilation is obtained (3 cm), the catheter slides out and labor can begin. While no medication is normally required with this procedure, some physicians prefer to administer Pitocin as well. This drug mimics the actions of Oxytocin, a naturally occurring hormone that assists in starting labor. This medicine is administered intravenously, increasing the amount until the contractions occur. The contractions obtained this way are more powerful than normal. Patients that are administered Pitocin for Labor Induction typically requires constant medical monitoring for the entire duration of the labor.

Prostaglandin medication may also be employed as a means of Labor Induction. Prostaglandins are hormones naturally produced by the human organism, and they help prepare the cervix for labor. If the labor is induced by means of prostaglandin medication, the physician will place the medicines around the cervix in order to induce the softening of the cervix. It is common for this procedure to be performed in the evening in order to allow cervical preparation over the night, especially in cases where a single dose of medication is required to induce labor. In other cases, the administration of the prostaglandins may be performed repeatedly, every four to six hours. One of the most common medicines employed for this type of Labor Induction is Cytotec.