Your baby must be low in the pelvis and the cervix must be open some for a provider to break the water. This procedure is done during a vaginal exam in the hospital. Also, induction of labor, like natural labor, almost always takes much longer if this is your first baby, so be prepared!Īmniotomy (breaking the bag of water) is sometimes recommended by clinicians to induce labor. ![]() Sometimes ripening your cervix requires a day or more when your body is not ready for labor. Your OB providers will decide whether to repeat the ripening agent or move on to Pitocin (see below). After the ripening agents have their effect, you will be re-evaluated. Depending on your response and condition, you may be sent home (with arrangements to return the following day) be admitted to the hospital for observation or begin labor after their use. You may be given one or more doses of these agents. If you are having contractions on your own, it may not be safe to use these medicines. Your baby is monitored for 1-12 hours after the use of the agents, depending on the method used. Often multiple doses over many hours are required to get the cervix ready for labor. They do this by causing cramping and contractions of the uterus. They hopefully cause the cervix to soften, shorten and begin to open. These “ripening agents” are easily inserted in the vagina or taken by mouth and work for 4-12 hours. ![]() Ripening agents: Several agents (Cytotec, Cervidil) can be used in the hospital or outpatient to help ready the cervix for labor in women whose cervix is long, closed or “unripe.” This is a great option for women who have previously had a Cesarean birth. It may be kept in for 12 hours or until it falls out. A balloon is inflated there, which helps to dilate your cervix. Remember, women often have several hours of cramping after sweeping the membranes, but then don’t go into real labor.Ĭervical Balloon: This non-medical option involves a small flexible catheter that is inserted into your cervix. However, it may be worth a try, as it is a minimally invasive method of trying to induce labor. Sweeping the membranes is only effective in a small number of women. This quick procedure can be uncomfortable and often there is some light vaginal spotting and cramping afterwards. This may stimulate contractions and hopefully labor in some women. “Sweeping the membranes” or “stripping the membranes": This procedure involves sweeping the exam finger around the lower edge of the bag of water (membranes) to gently separate the membranes from the edge of the cervix. There are some safe methods to encourage labor that you can discuss with your doctor, including: Be sure you understand why induction of labor is recommended and what the benefits and risks are in your case. Sometimes your clinician will recommend induction for other reasons, which she/he will discuss with you. Concerns about the baby’s growth or well-being.Suspected infection in the amniotic fluid.Ruptured amniotic sac (bag of waters) not followed by labor.Being one to two weeks or more beyond your due date.Common reasons for an induction of labor include (but are not limited to): There are several reasons why your labor may need to be induced. Why might my clinician want to induce labor? Induction is an attempt to imitate natural labor and birth by causing contractions of the uterus. Sometimes, risks to a mother and her baby make it safer to deliver the baby before labor starts on its own. It is thought to be controlled by hormones, which are chemicals made by the body. We do not fully understand what makes this happen naturally. ![]() They open, or dilate, the cervix to prepare for the baby’s birth. A woman’s labor starts with contractions.
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