You may feel a tug followed by a warm trickle or gush of fluid. With prostaglandin, you might have some strong cramping as well.
With oxytocin, contractions are usually more frequent and regular than in a labor that starts naturally. Inducing labor is not like turning on a faucet. If the body isn't ready, an induction might fail and, after hours or days of trying, a woman may end up having a cesarean delivery C-section. This appears to be more likely if the cervix is not yet ripe. If the doctor ruptures the amniotic sac and labor doesn't begin, another method of inducing labor also might be necessary because there's a risk of infection to both mother and baby if the membranes are ruptured for a long time before the baby is born.
When prostaglandin or oxytocin is used, there is a risk of abnormal contractions developing. In that case, the doctor may remove the vaginal insert or turn the oxytocin dose down. While it is rare, there is an increase in the risk of developing a tear in the uterus uterine rupture when these medications are used.
Other complications associated with oxytocin use are low blood pressure and low blood sodium which can cause problems such as seizures. Another potential risk of inducing labor is giving birth to a late pre-term baby born after 34 and before 37 weeks. Because the due date EDD may be wrong. Your due date is 40 weeks from the first day of your last menstrual period LMP. Babies born late pre-term are generally healthy but may have temporary problems such as jaundice, trouble feeding, problems with breathing, or difficulty maintaining body temperature.
They may also be more likely than full term babies to have developmental or school problems later on. Even though inductions do come with risks, going beyond 42 weeks of pregnancy can be risky, too.
Many babies are born "post-term" without any complications, but concerns include:. Old wives' tales abound about ways to induce labor, such as the use of castor oil. It is not safe to try to artificially start labor yourself by taking castor oil, which can lead to nausea, diarrhea, and dehydration. And herbs and herbal supplements meant to induce labor can be harmful.
Breast stimulation can cause uterine contractions by causing the release of oxytocin. However, some studies have suggested that the baby might have abnormal heartbeats after breast stimulation.
Some women feel that having sex in late pregnancy can induce labor, but there is no conclusion on this yet.
For example, if you live far from the hospital or birthing center or you have a history of rapid deliveries, a scheduled induction might help you avoid an unattended delivery. In such cases, your health care provider will confirm that your baby's gestational age is at least 39 weeks or older before induction to reduce the risk of health problems for your baby. A C-section includes an abdominal incision and a uterine incision. After the abdominal incision, the doctor will make an incision in your uterus.
Low transverse incisions are the most common top left. If you've had a prior C-section and have labor induced, your health care provider will avoid certain medications to reduce the risk of uterine rupture.
Labor induction is done in a hospital or birthing center, where you and your baby can be monitored and labor and delivery services are readily available. However, some steps might be taken prior to admission. There are various methods for inducing labor. Depending on the circumstances, your health care provider might:. Keep in mind that your health care provider might also use a combination of these methods to induce labor. How long it takes for labor to start depends on how ripe your cervix is when your induction starts, the induction techniques used and how your body responds to them.
If your cervix needs time to ripen, it might take days before labor begins. If you simply need a little push, you might be holding your baby in your arms in a matter of hours. In most cases, labor induction leads to a successful vaginal birth.
If labor induction fails, you might need to try another induction or have a C-section. If you have a successful vaginal delivery after induction, there might be no implications for future pregnancies. If the induction leads to a C-section, your health care provider can help you decide whether to attempt a vaginal delivery with a subsequent pregnancy or to schedule a repeat C-section.
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Sections for Labor induction About. It is a medical emergency that requires immediate intervention. Find out why here. Every labour and birth is unique and unpredictable, making it difficult to plan. It is common for women to feel some level of anxiety during pregnancy; perhaps about their changing body, the health of their baby or concerns about the birth.
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What is an induced labour? In Australia, about 1 in 3 women has an induced labour. What are the differences between an induced and a natural labour? When is induced labour recommended? Your doctor might recommend induced labour if: you are overdue more than 41 weeks pregnant there is a concern the placenta is not working as it should you have a health condition, such as diabetes , kidney problems or high blood pressure the baby is making fewer movements, showing changes in its heart rate, or not growing well your waters have broken, but the contractions have not started naturally you are giving birth to more than one baby twins or multiple birth Not everyone can have an induced labour.
What to expect During the late stages of your pregnancy, your healthcare team will carry out regular checks on your health and your baby's heath. Pain relief during induced labour Induced labour is usually more painful than natural labour.
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