Introduction

Labor is induced in certain cases where the gynecologist feels it necessary to have the delivery before the due date in the best interest of the baby and the mother. There may be a risk involved in waiting till the due date and the doctors may advice immediate delivery. In such cases it may not be necessary to always go in for an operation hence labor inductions help the pregnant women in giving birth naturally before their due date. Once labor is induced the process following the induction of labor will be similar to natural labor such as dilation of the cervix and the procedure of the active phase and pushing phases that follow are generally quicker than in natural labor.

Amniotomy

This is a natural method of just breaking the water bag as this will give the uterus the chemical signs to start labor and no additional help is required. This is done when the cervix has already dilated around four centimeters or more and has also thinned sufficiently.

Pitocin

When the cervix has not dilated and the uterus does not respond to breaking of the water a medicine called Pitocin is used to produce contractions. Pitocin resembles the natural labor causing substance which is produced by the mother’s own body and the dosage is adjusted every half an hour depending on the response of the mother. Picotin is given in very small dosages through an intravenous injection.

Medical agents for cervical ripening

Before inducing labor if the cervix has not dilated at all a ripening agent can be taken, this can help in making the cervix softer and effaced. These medications are all chemically related to the prostalglandin E hormone which is naturally produced by the body. This can be given as tablets, or gels, or suppository which are had orally or placed near the cervix. This is done in order to shorten the time of intense labor because dilation in combination with contractions can make the labor process shorter and faster.

Physical methods for cervical ripening

This is similar to stretching out a balloon to make it easier to blow. The physical methods involve inserting sticks of sterilized and dried seaweed or laminaria in the cervix. After a while the stick absorbs moisture from the vagina and slowly starts expanding thus dilating the cervix. An alternative method is to insert a rubber balloon on the end of a tube through the cervix and the balloon is filled with water. This causes pressure on the cervix leading to its dilation.

Myths about labor inductions

Some feel the use of pitocin can be very strong for the baby to handle however the baby’s heartbeat and timings of the contractions are carefully monitored by the doctors and so there is no risk to the baby as well as the mother.