When is induction safe for baby

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Induction of labor versus expectant management for women with a prior cesarean delivery. Am J Obstet Gynecol 3 : e Perneger, T. J Gen Intern Med 26 12 : Rosenstein, M. During the late stages of your pregnancy, your healthcare team will carry out regular checks on your health and your baby's heath. These checks help them decide whether it is better to induce labour or to keep the baby inside.

Always tell your doctor or midwife if you notice your baby is moving less than normal. If they decide it is medically necessary to induce labour, first your doctor or midwife will do an internal examination by feeling inside your vagina. They will feel your cervix to see if it is ready for labour. This examination will also help them decide on the best method for you. There are different options for inducing labour and you may need a combination of treatments. It can take from a few hours to as long as 2 to 3 days to induce labour.

It depends how your body responds to the treatment. It is likely to take longer if this is your first pregnancy or you are less than 37 weeks pregnant. Induced labour is usually more painful than natural labour. Depending on the type of induction you are having, this could range from discomfort with the procedure or more intense and longer lasting contractions as a result of the medication you have been given.

Women who have induced labour are more likely to ask for an epidural for relief. Because inductions are almost always done in hospital, the full range of pain relief should be available to you. There is usually no restriction on the type of pain relief you can have if your labour is induced.

Not all induction methods will work for everyone. There are several different types of induction. Your doctor may try another method, or you might need to have a caesarean. Your doctor will discuss all of these options with you. Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content. Induced labour can be started in several ways. What to expect after your due date. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Reaffirmed Labor, delivery and postpartum care FAQ Labor induction. Wing DA. Cervical ripening and induction of labor in women with a prior cesarean delivery. Meconium aspiration syndrome. Merck Manual Professional Version. Bush M, et al. Umbilical cord prolapse. Gabbe SG, et al. Abnormal labor and induction of labor. In: Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. Philadelphia, Pa. Cunningham FG, et al. Induction and augmentation of labor. In: Williams Obstetrics. Sometimes a hormone drip is needed to speed up the labour.

Once labour starts, it should proceed normally, but it can sometimes take 24 to 48 hours to get you into labour. Induced labour is usually more painful than labour that starts on its own, and you may want to ask for an epidural. Your pain relief options during labour are not restricted by being induced. You should have access to all the pain relief options usually available in the maternity unit.

If you are induced you'll be more likely to have an assisted delivery, where forceps or ventouse suction are used to help the baby out. Your obstetrician and midwife will assess your condition and your baby's wellbeing, and you may be offered another induction or a caesarean section. You may have heard that certain things can trigger labour, such as herbal supplements and having sex, but there's no evidence that these work.

Other methods that are not supported by scientific evidence include acupuncture , homeopathy , hot baths, castor oil and enemas. Having sex will not cause harm, but you should avoid having sex if your waters have broken as there's an increased risk of infection.

For more information on induction, you can read the NICE information for the public on induction of labour. You can find pregnancy and baby apps and tools in the NHS apps library. Page last reviewed: 12 November Next review due: 12 November Inducing labour. It's your choice whether to have your labour induced or not.