This document discusses labor induction, including its definition, reasons it may be done, risks, preparation, methods, duration, and outcomes. Labor induction is a procedure used to stimulate uterine contractions before spontaneous labor begins. It carries some risks but may be recommended if the mother or baby's health is at risk late in pregnancy. Common induction methods include stripping the membranes, dilating the cervix, intravenous oxytocin, or rupturing the amniotic sac. The duration of induction can vary from a few hours to a few days depending on the individual case. Outcomes include successful vaginal birth in most cases but may require a C-section in some situations.
2. Objectives: * Definition of labor induction. * Why labor induction is done. * Risks of labor induction. * Preparing for the procedure. * Methods for inducing labor. How long dose the procedure need. * * It’s out comes. * References.
3. Definition of induction of labor: Labor induction — also known as inducing labor — is a procedure used to stimulate uterine contractions during pregnancybefore labor begins spontaneously. But it isn't appropriate if the placenta blocks the cervix (placenta previa), the baby is lying crosswise in the uterus (transverse fetal lie), or mother is having an active genital herpes infection.
4. Why labor induction is done: Health care provider may recommend labor induction for various reasons, primarily when there's concern for mother’s health or baby's health. For example: * Mother at least 10 days beyond her due date, and labor hasn't started naturally. * Water has broken, but mother not having contractions. * There's an infection in uterus. * Baby has stopped growing at the expected pace. * There's not enough amniotic fluid surrounding the baby. * Placenta has begun to deteriorate. * Having a medical condition that may put mother or baby at risk, such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
5. Risks of labor induction: Labor induction carries various risks, including: Premature birth. Inducing labor too early may result in a premature birth, which poses risks for the baby — including difficulty breathing, yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice), and other problems. Even inductions close to term may cause these problems. Low heart rate. The medication used to induce labor (oxytocin) may provoke too many contractions, which can diminish baby's oxygen supply and lower baby's heart rate. Infection. Labor induction increases the risk of infection for both mother and baby. Umbilical cord problems. Labor induction increases the risk of the umbilical cord slipping into the vagina before delivery, which may compress the cord and decrease the baby's oxygen supply.
6. The need for a C-section. By definition, induction promotes delivery before the body is ready for labor — which may lead to poor labor progress and the need for a C-section. An increased risk of uterine rupture if mother had a prior C-section. Uterine rupture is a rare but serious complication in which the uterus tears open along the scar line from a prior C-section. An emergency C-section is needed to prevent life-threatening complications
7. Preparing for labor induction: health care provider will tell the patient when to report to the hospital for the induction. Because the medications used to induce labor may upset her stomach, she may be asked to eat only light foods — such as soup — before arrival.
9. :Methods for inducing labor There are various methods for inducing labor. Depending on the circumstances, health care provider may: Separate the amniotic sac from the wall of uterus. This technique is also known as stripping or sweeping the membranes. It can be done during an office visit and may speed the beginning of spontaneous labor — especially if mother’s cervix has already begun to dilate. Dilate your cervix. Sometimes synthetic prostaglandins, which can be taken by mouth or placed inside the vagina, are used to dilate the cervix. In other cases, a small balloon-tipped catheter or laminaria — a small rod made of dried seaweed — is used instead. Water injected through the catheter expands the balloon, irritating the uterus and causing it to soften and open the cervix. With laminaria, the seaweed draws in water and gets thicker, which slightly dilates the cervix.
10. Use an intravenous medication. health care provider may give the mother a synthetic version of oxytocin, a hormone that causes the uterus to contract. Break mother’s water. With this technique, also known as an amniotomy or rupturing the membranes, health care provider makes a small opening in the amniotic sac with a thin plastic hook. Mother may feel a warm gush of fluid when the sac opens. An amniotomy is typically done in the hospital, and only if the cervix is partially dilated and the baby's head is deep in the pelvis. If the amniotic fluid contains traces of fecal waste (meconium), labor may be monitored more closely.
11. How long dose the procedure need: induce labor depends on how mother’s body responds to the induction techniques. If her cervix needs time to ripen, the induction may take two to three days. If she simply need a little push, she may be holding her baby in her arms in a matter of hours. Labor induction typically takes longer for first-time moms and pregnancies that aren't full term.
12. Out comes of inducing labor: In most cases, labor induction leads to a successful vaginal birth. Rarely, an induction may be discontinued and attempted again in a few days — but once water has broken, there's no turning back. If mother health or her baby's health is at risk, a C-section may be needed. The issues that led to an induction may require special care during recovery. If successful vaginal delivery is done , there may be no implications for future pregnancies. If the induction leads to a C-section, health care provider can help mother decide whether to attempt a vaginal delivery with a subsequent pregnancy or to schedule a repeat C-section.