Getting Things Moving: 4 Ways to Induce Labor
Towards the end of pregnancy, labor usually begins naturally by the softening and thinning of the cervix. The body conducts this process to prepare itself for labor and delivery. When the cervix is soft and thin enough, contractions typically begin without any assistance.
However, for almost 25 percent of women, it is necessary to medically induce labor. This can occur for many reasons and in many ways. Below are the most common ways labor is medically induced.
Prostaglandin
These forms of hormones are usually given in pill or suppository form. The pills or suppositories are inserted directly into the woman's vagina either every few hours or every 12 hours. When they enter the vagina, they release hormones that help ready the cervix for labor, mimicking what the cervix does during natural labor.
Using prostaglandin is one of the simplest ways to ready the body for labor in a way that mimics the body's natural abilities to thin and soften the cervix. These hormones are given in the hopes that the body will naturally go into labor after the cervix is thin and soft. This method can be done for women who have gone past their due dates or for those needing to be induced for other reasons.
Membrane Stripping
This method is typically done in an office setting to women who have gone past their due date in hopes of helping the natural process of labor move along. Stripping or sweeping of the membranes essentially separates the membrane from the uterus so that the uterus starts making prostaglandins on its own. As stated above, these are the hormones that allow the cervix to thin and soften in preparation for labor, thus helping to begin contractions.
Membrane stripping typically works in 1 out of 8 women and is done through an easy process. A doctor, nurse or midwife uses a gloved finger to enter the cervix and sweep around the inside edge to remove amniotic membranes. Membrane stripping is one of the lowest-risk options for inducing labor.
Pitocin
This drug is quite arguably the most common way a doctor would choose to induce labor. It is typically done in a hospital setting as it is needed to be taken intravenously. This is also one of the quickest ways to induce labor since doctors can choose how much of the drug to give women and adjust its intensity. Pitocin mimics the hormone that tells the uterus it is time to begin contractions. It can be used to both begin contractions and speed up (or slow) contractions.
Pitocin is usually given after the cervix has begun naturally thinning and softening in preparation. This option is usually taken by doctors after the mother has gone past her due date or when the mother is having a hard or very slow labor.
Membrane Rupturing
Doctors typically choose this option to help induce labor only after the cervix has already began to dilate and the baby's head is fully engaged in the pelvis. Membrane rupturing is usually only done in a hospital setting because the risk of infection is greater after the amniotic sac has been ruptured - whether it is done by natural means or not.
To rupture the amniotic sac, a doctor inserts a device into the vagina and gently pulls at the amniotic sac until it breaks.
After a woman's water breaks, contractions tend to come faster and harder just as labor naturally comes. Doctors typically choose this option for women who are already in labor but are having difficulties progressing on their own.
Explore Your Labor Options
For many women, going into labor naturally is harder than it should be. For others, their labor doesn't progress as it should. Thankfully, there have been many medical advancements that can help a woman's labor process quicken and make delivery easier for both baby and mother. While there are some other ways labor can be induced, these 4 methods are the most common and most effective in inducing a woman's labor in the safest way possible.
As always, these options and methods are best chosen in conjunction with the women's medical history, current pregnancy status, and the advice and knowledge of the doctor caring for her.
As a leading provider of compassionate, highly qualified Lake City and Gainesville, FL OB/GYN care, specialists at All About Women Obstetrics and Gynecology offer women and families the best obstetrics and gynecology information and care – whether that be in-person or through outlets such as this website. Helping all women better understand their general health and pregnancy needs is a critical mission of the practice.
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