| Although, there are many childbirth methods, | | | | Otherwise, an expectant mother can talk to the |
| induced labor is often recommended for a number | | | | doctor and explain reason why she would like to |
| of reasons determined by a patient's medical | | | | have an induced labor as an alternative to other |
| history. The American College of Obstetricians and | | | | childbirth methods. Apart from the distance of the |
| Gynecologists (ACOG) informed that induced labor | | | | hospital, a woman may want induced labor for |
| doubled from 1989 to 1997 and it is estimated | | | | accommodating the date when a trip, move or |
| that about 15% of all deliveries are induced today. | | | | work is scheduled, and she needs to stick to a |
| Physicians often recommend induced labor to | | | | strict timetable. |
| avoid childbirth complication or when the fetus is | | | | Even though, most physicians refuse inducing labor |
| exposed to harmful lesions due to health problems | | | | for matters of convenience. From their approach, |
| of the expectant mother, such as vaginal | | | | the method might be unethical, because the |
| infections. Labor is induced by means of | | | | cervix has to be ripe in order to induce labor, |
| stimulating uterine contractions before they occur | | | | unless synthetic prostaglandins or mechanical |
| spontaneously in the last weeks of pregnancy. | | | | dilators will be used to induce it, as well as |
| Medical considerations for inducing labor may | | | | hormones or by means of intravenous oxytocin |
| include preeclampsia, premature rupture of | | | | drip. |
| membranes, placental abruption, and | | | | Women who support the ideas of induced labor |
| chorioamnionitis, which is an infection of the | | | | as birthing method, suggest nipple stimulation and |
| membranes enclosing the amniotic fluid. | | | | even sexual intercourse to help naturally release |
| However, induced labor is a birthing method that | | | | the oxytocin the body produces. |
| can be chosen for pregnant women with good | | | | If the doctor determines that you are a candidate |
| health, but living far from the hospital or medical | | | | for induced labor, he may suggest artificial rupture |
| childbirth facility. Expectant mothers who are at | | | | of your membranes, which is often a painless, |
| risk of suffering a rapid delivery are also | | | | safe method that triggers spontaneous labor. If |
| candidates for this method. | | | | not, your doctor may prescribe misprostol, |
| Induced labor is recommended, and necessary, | | | | oxytocin, or mifespristone to promote "breaking |
| when it comes to post-term pregnancy. This | | | | the water". |
| means an option for women that are 2 weeks or | | | | Talk to your doctor and if your baby is at risk, |
| more past their due date. In most cases, it is the | | | | discuss the possibility of having induced labor |
| obstetrician who will evaluate the circumstances | | | | instead of other birthing methods that you have |
| that a woman will face delivering on the due date, | | | | considered for your due date. |
| before recommending this method. | | | | |