Throughout your pregnancy you may be looking forward with excitement and anticipation to the moment when you realize that you are going into labor. But what if for some reason waiting for your body to go into labor is not a good option? The next step would be an induction of labor. This is when your healthcare provider uses various medications and techniques to coax your body into labor. Approximately 20% of pregnant people in the United States have inductions each year.
Why Might I Need An Induction?
There are times when your health, or the health of your baby could be compromised by remaining pregnant. In these cases, your healthcare provider may recommend an induction. Listed below are just some of the common reasons to be induced.
Past Your Due Date – Evidence shows us that waiting too long for labor to start is not healthy for you or the baby. Therefore, if you have not gone into labor by one week after your due date, your provider will recommend an induction.
Rupture of Membranes – Commonly known as breaking your water, this is a natural part of labor. However, sometimes it happens before labor contractions begin. Since it can sometimes take more than a day for contractions to begin on their own, an induction is recommended to prevent an infection from developing inside the uterus.
Fetal Growth Restriction (FGR) – This is when your baby is not growing enough in your womb and would grow better on the outside.
Pre-eclampsia – Pre-eclampsia is a condition of pregnancy that causes high blood pressures and can lead to seizures if left untreated. It can also cause harm to the baby. Although pre-eclampsia can be treated, the only cure is delivery.
Placental Abruption – This is when the placenta (the temporary organ of pregnancy that supplies your baby with oxygen and nutrients) begins to separate from the wall of the uterus. This causes bleeding. An abruption is dangerous to the health of both you and the baby.
Maternal Health Conditions – Certain health conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and age over 40 make carrying a baby all the way to your due date unsafe for both you and your baby. If you have a health condition that may make waiting for natural labor to start unsafe, your provider will monitor you and your baby closely to determine the right time to induce labor.
Elective induction – a study showed there may be benefits to inducing labor in the week before your due date, the 39th week. In first-time pregnancies there was a lower risk of cesarean section and high blood pressure complications compared to waiting for labor to happen on its own. We offer elective inductions of labor as space and staffing allow. Speak to your provider if this is an option you are considering.
These are just some of the most common reasons why your provider may recommend an induction of labor. You and your healthcare provider are partners in this pregnancy journey. Rest assured that if your provider feels an induction is the best course of action for you and your baby, they will discuss all the options with you, and together you will come up with a plan that is best for you and your little one.