Induced Labor

A practitioner can use certain techniques to start or induce contractions.

Frequently used ways to induce labor include:

• inserting a dose of the hormone prostaglandin E2 into the vagina
• rupturing the membrane of the amniotic sac, also called breaking the water
• IV infusion of the hormone oxytocin

Labor is often induced because of complications such as

• pre-eclampsia, also called toxemia or pregnancy-induced high blood pressure
• gestational diabetes
• other general health concerns, such as heart or kidney disease
• intrauterine growth restriction (the fetus has stopped growing)
• the amniotic sac has ruptured (water breaks) but labor has not started within 24-48 hours
• post-term pregnancy (after 42 weeks, the placenta is thought to be less able to deliver nutrients to the baby)

Risks
The primary risk of inducing labor is that you will not be able to delivery vaginally and will have to have a Caesarean section. There is also some risk that induced contractions will be too strong. In that case, the practitioner may stop the medication and wait to see whether the contractions weaken. The practitioner may also decide to perform a Caesarean section.