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Induction of Labor
Many patients will opt to have an induction of labor for the following reasons: discomfort at the end of pregnancy, a desire to have family present, a desire to have me present at the delivery, or concerns about planning ahead for childcare or work responsibilities. If you choose to have an induction, the following information will help you understand the process.
MANY QUESTIONS ARISE CONCERNING INDUCTION:
| Will induction increase my risk for C-Section? |
| Because I make sure you have cervical dilation that is favorable for a vaginal delivery, most studies show this will not increase your risk for C-Section. Since I feel that induction affords a delivery that will occur with a baby that hasn't had time to overgrow, we have a greater chance to achieve a vaginal delivery. My C-section rate has traditionally been below the national C-section rate of 25%. I do not feel that induction of labor in a properly selected patient will increase the risk for C-section. |
| Does induction of labor cause me more pain than natural labor? |
| Induction of labor does not cause any more or less pain than natural labor. Induction of labor will produce contractions that are no different from the contractions produced during spontaneous labor. Both contractions are a result of Pitocin either produced by the body or given by IV. Most women in spontaneous labor will usually need additional IV pitocin to achieve adequate contractions to deliver vaginally. If you are planning on an epidural during labor, contraction pain is eliminated. No matter whether you are induced or have spontaneous labor, contractions must be of a sufficient force to achieve a vaginal delivery. Therefore, contraction pain is the same in either situation. |
| Will my baby be safe? |
| I do try to wait until 39 weeks of pregnancy to deliver your baby. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology feels that waiting until this gestational age will not increase risk for babies to have breathing problems with delivery. However, some women will need delivery prior to 39 weeks of pregnancy due to health conditions of the baby or mother. If this is the case, I will discuss these issues with you at your prenatal visits. |
CYTOTEC INDUCTION:
If you are a first time Mom, achieving a delivery whether through natural or induction methods takes a longer time. Therefore, I have all first time Mothers arrive at the hospital the night before your delivery day to ready your cervix for labor.
All first time Moms receive Cytotec or Misoprostol the night before delivery day. This medication is taken by mouth and serves to ready your cervix for pitocin the following day. This is used to shorten your labor time. Some women will go into labor with this medication alone, but most women will need pitocin along with rupturing of membranes to achieve delivery.
Procedure:
- Arrive at The Women’s Hospital or St. Mary's Hospital at 6:00 pm the night before your delivery day.
- You will receive 1-3 doses of oral cytotec starting at 7:00 pm to 1:00 am.
- At 5:00 am, pitocin will be started thru the IV.
- Between 7:30 and 8:30 am, I will arrive to rupture your water. (This is not more uncomfortable than a vaginal exam, except you will feel as though you have urinated on yourself afterwards.)
- Most first time moms will deliver between 2:00 and 5:00 pm on the day of delivery.
PITOCIN INDUCTION:
If you have had a baby before, it is generally a much faster process than your first delivery. The more babies you have, usually the faster the deliveries go. Therefore, you need only arrive to the hospital the day of your delivery.
Procedure:
- Arrive at The Women’s Hospital or St. Mary's Hospital at 5:00 am on the day of your delivery.
- Pitocin will be started thru the IV.
- Between 7:30 and 8:30am, I will arrive to rupture your water.
- Delivery usually occurs prior to 5:00pm on the day of delivery.
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