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. Talk to your doctor before doing anything to try to encourage your little one's arrival.
Inducing labor is best left to medical professionals — you may cause more harm than good. As frustrating as it can be waiting for your baby to finally decide to arrive, letting nature take its course is often best, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
Before you know it, you'll be too busy to remember your baby was ever late at all! Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What Is It? Why It's Done Your doctor might suggest an induction if: your water broke but you are not having contractions your baby still hasn't arrived by 2 weeks after the due date when you're considered post-term — more than 42 weeks into your pregnancy you have an infection in the uterus called chorioamnionitis you have certain risk factors e.
Page 2 How It's Done Some methods of induction are less invasive and carry fewer risks than others. Ways that doctors may try to induce labor by getting contractions started include: Stripping the membranes.
The doctor puts on a glove and inserts a finger into the vagina and through the cervix the opening that connects the vagina to the uterus.
He or she moves the finger back and forth to separate the thin membrane connecting the amniotic sac which houses the baby and amniotic fluid to the wall of the uterus. When the membranes are stripped, the body releases hormones called prostaglandins, which help prepare the cervix for delivery and may bring on contractions. If labor does not occur on the first day, you may be sent home. You and your clinician will decide if you need to return another day for another attempt, or wait for natural labor.
You will be sent home only if your water has not broken, and you and your baby are doing well. Be patient, bring things to do to stay entertained, and make sure you have adequate child-care arrangements for several days for your other children.
Waiting for induced labor to start can be tedious and nerve-wracking — just like waiting for spontaneous labor to start. Induction of labor usually — but not always — works. Sometimes, the best plan if you and your baby are medically stable is to send you home, follow you closely through the office, and try again in a few days or a week.
Labor is hard work and usually painful whether it starts on its own or is induced. When labor is induced with Pitocin, you need an IV and continuous fetal monitoring of your baby. These interventions may limit your use of some natural means for coping with labor pain and you may choose to rely more on pain-relieving medications. Also, for some women induced labor is quicker so the pain is not spread out over many long hours and this can make it seem worse.
Remember — you do not need to experience more pain in labor than you can tolerate, and your OB providers and hospital nurse will help you come up with ways to cope with pain in labor. Each way to induce labor has some risks. You should discuss the reasons for induction with your clinician and understand the benefits and risks of the planned procedures. Ask your clinician about special policies related to induction at your hospital or that may apply to your individual case.
Find out when you are expected in labor and delivery. Remember that sometimes you may have to wait for staff and space to start your induction. You will be called by the Birthing Unit on the day you are scheduled. How busy the labor floor is changes from hour to hour. When Your Labor Needs to be Induced. Subscribe to Our Blog. What is induced labor? Why might my clinician want to induce labor?
View Sources. March of Dimes, Inducing Labor , September Pregnancy Groups. Jump to Your Week of Pregnancy. Pregnancy Week. Signs of Labor. Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners. Sleeping Positions During Pregnancy. Follow us on. Error: This is required. Error: Not a valid value. The first stage is when your contractions increase and your cervix begins to dilate open up. There is no limit to how long this stage might be, and it often stops and starts.
The second stage is when your cervix is fully open and you push the baby out through your vagina. Normally this can take up to 2 hours. If you have been pushing for more than 2 hours, your doctor will consider intervening. Slow progress in labour can be risky. You may experience more pain and are more likely to have birth interventions.
For the baby, it can increase the risk of low oxygen levels, abnormal heart rhythm, meconium in the amniotic fluid and infection. You are also at greater risk of slow progress if you are overweight or have gained a lot of weight during the pregnancy, or if this is your first baby.
If you are experiencing slow progress, your midwife and doctor will monitor you closely. They will measure how quickly your cervix is dilating, how long your contractions last and how often you are having them. If you are in the first stage of labour, your midwife and doctor may decide to break your waters or give you the medication oxytocin to speed up your contractions or make them stronger. You will probably be given pain medication and asked to change position , which might speed things up.
If your baby has already entered the birth canal, your doctor or midwife might deliver them by using forceps or ventouse.
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