Inductions and being overdue
It can be pretty disappointing
when your due date comes and goes, and there’s no sign of your baby. Most women
are offered an induction at roughly 42 weeks, but your case will be
individually monitored and reviewed.
Why might I need an induction?
- If you reach around 42 weeks
of pregnancy it’s better for your baby to be outside of the uterus because at
this stage the placenta may start to deteriorate, potentially restricting your
baby’s oxygen supply. It’s also possible he might grow too large for a vaginal
delivery if he stays in there over term.
- Pre-eclampsia, a potentially
dangerous condition of later pregnancy, can only be cured by delivering your
baby, so doctors may induce you even if your baby isn’t yet full-term.
- Your waters break but
contractions don’t start. Your OB-GYN may also want induce you if in these
circumstances because your baby is no longer protected from infection after the
membrane sac breaks.
- If you previously had a
full-term stillborn
baby.
Here are the typical methods of induction:
Membrane sweep
This is usually the first
method your OB-GYN will try. She’ll gently insert a gloved finger into your
cervix (the neck of your uterus) and sweep it around to detach the membranes
(the bag of waters that holds your baby in the uterus). This releases hormones
called prostaglandins which soften the cervix and can help start labor but
you’ll probably need to be close to the point where your labor would have
started anyway for it to work.
Prostaglandin
Your body naturally produces
prostaglandin, which softens the cervix so your contractions can open it up.
Synthetic prostaglandin can be administered by inserting a pessary or gel into
your cervix. You may need more than one dose of prostaglandin to start
contractions.
Rupturing the membranes
One way of speeding up
contractions is to artificially break the bag of membranes which surround your
baby. Once the bag bursts, the amniotic fluid leaks out and the amount of
prostaglandin increases, which speeds up labor. It’s done using a plastic
instrument with a hook at one end, during a vaginal examination. It shouldn’t
be painful, just a little uncomfortable.
Pitocin
This is a synthetic version of
the natural labor hormone oxytocin, which stimulates contractions. It’s
administered via IV (intravenous line). It’s possible for Pitocin to
overstimulate the uterus, so you and your baby will be closely monitored if
this method is used.
The information in this feature is intended for
educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the
health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a
doctor or other healthcare professional.
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Last Modified: 11/07/2007
Related Chat 1
I was induced due to gestational diabetes. This was done when I was at 39 weeks and the last lot of gel was given at 40 weeks. I was given four lots of gel, which I was later told by one of the consultants should never had happened. I was then offered a sweep as the induction had failed but after four days of little sleep and an awful lot of pain in my hips which had forced me to get up and pace the room every 5 to 10 minutes as the only means of relief, I declined. Instead I opted for the c-section. The surgeon and team were great, they explained everything, the operation was quick and my baby was a healthy normal weight. I had to stay another four nights in hospital but the midwife I had by this stage didn't treat me like a nuisance, unlike the other midwives whilst I was being induced. My scar from the c-section is barely there and all the numbness went after a year.
It didn't make me any less of a mother that my induction failed, in fact I'm glad that I opted for the operation in the end. I was concerned that if the sweep worked I wouldn't be able to make it through the labour on so little sleep and end up having an emergency c-section. All the emergency c-sections I have heard of didn't go well or there were unpleasant infections.
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