Induction of labour

What do you think of when induction is mentioned? I would imagine that it is usually excitement that you are finally going to meet your baby. Of course, you may also be worried or afraid depending on the reason for your induction. Induction is basically a medical way of artificially starting your labour. It is a long, complicated process and can take several days for your labour to be established. So go into hospital prepared with things to keep you entertained because once you are admitted for induction, you will stay until your baby is born.

The most common reason for induction is that you have gone past your estimated date of delivery (I hate that term, delivery!!!! You’re about to give birth to a baby, not deliver a pizza!!!!!). In which case the excitement is more than understandable. However many women have their labours induced because of a medical reason that could potentially be harmful to her and/or her baby. This can be quite a scary prospect. However please be reassured that all precautions will be taken and that both you and your baby will be closely monitored for any signs that all is not well.

So what is done to induce your labour? Essentially, prostaglandins are inserted high into your vagina to sit around your cervix. Prostaglandins are a compound that have hormone like effects to cause your uterus to contract to make your labour start.

This can be done in two ways depending in whether your waters have broken. If they have broken, a prostaglandin gel is placed behind your cervix. This can be repeated every 6 hours until you are having regular contractions and your cervix has started to open. If your waters haven’t broken a pessary that is soaked in prostaglandins is placed behind your cervix. This can stay in place for 36 hours without having to be removed. This will be left in place until your cervix has opened enough to be able to artificially break your waters. This will bring baby’s head down onto your cervix to help it to dilate more effectively.

In both cases you and your baby will be regularly monitored, and you will have a vaginal examination every 6 hours (unless otherwise indicated) to check on your progress.

All of this will happen on the antenatal ward. Once you are considered to be in labour you will be transferred to the labour ward. Here your labour may progress naturally or it may slow down. If your contractions do slow down or are considered not strong enough you may be advised that a syntocinon drip is needed to help your labour to progress. Syntocinon is a synthetic form of the natural hormone oxytocin, which is responsible for causing your uterus to contract. Syntocinon can cause your contractions to be stronger and more powerful than natural contractions, so stronger pain relief might be needed.

Of course this is a very condensed account of induction and is discussed in greater detail during antenatal classes with Simple By Nature. Contact me for more information at https://www.facebook.com/simplebynatureassistingthefirststepsofmotherhood/

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