Everything You Need To Know About Being Induced

You somehow make it to your due date after what seems like an eternity of being pregnant”¦annnnnd nothing. What is this child doing?! Just come out already!

For some women, the last trimester of pregnancy really drags. You are on edge with excitement waiting to meet your precious new baby. Home remedies on how to hurry things along or inducing labour are really looking tempting in the final few weeks.

Inductions are most often used if your baby is overdue and your doctor feels that your health and or the baby’s heath is at risk. Your placenta starts to decrease its efficiency to provide oxygen and blood to your baby by about 41 weeks compromising your baby’s health. This is when your doctor may recommend that your baby be induced.

What does being induced actually mean?

Being induced is the process of starting labour artificially. There are several reasons why you may actually be offered an induction which may included:

Being overdue induction generally happens at 41-42 weeks in this scenario.
Your waters have broken but labour hasn’t started
You have diabetes, provided your baby is progressing and growing in a healthy manner you may be offered an induction at 38 weeks gestation
You have the condition of pre-eclampsia which may be chronic or acute which threatens the well-being of your baby.

Other conditions such as women requesting that due to personal reasons like their partner being away on the due date, or concern over a previous stillbirth which are considered on a case by case basis by your doctor.

A natural labour is the preference of most women, but understandably this is not always the best or safest option for every pregnancy.

So how do you actually get induced?

Being induced could be offered in varying ways to the woman. The best method for every individual will be advised by your doctor or midwife at the time. These may include the following:

Membrane Sweep (or stretch and sweep)

This method is often the first method that is offered to induce labour. It involves the doctor or midwife during an internal examination sweeping a finger around your cervix which stimulates and/or seperates the membranes around the baby from the cervix. This causes a release of prostaglandins (hormones) which may kick start your labour within 48 hours if you are over 41 weeks gestation.

Prostaglandin (Tablet, pessary or gel)

This is designed to encourage your cervix to softenand begin the dilation process. This tablet, pessary or gel is inserted into your vagina by medical staff usually in the evening and often you are allowed to go home to hopefully start your labour, THEN the fun begins!

Syntocinon (Synthetic hormone)

This is administered through an intravenous drip to the woman. The hormone Oxytocin is naturally secreted through the pituitary gland in the brain during labour and causes normal uterine contractions. (The body really is an amazing thing!) By giving the synthetic alternative, the labour is progressed by causing the uterus to contact efficiently. Contractions proceeding the administering of Syntocinon are often said to be more intense and painful. You will have to be monitored constantly for your health and to ensure the baby is not put under too much stress.