Sometimes your pregnancy goes over or something happens and you need to be induced.
This can be the case for many reasons but most notably when you simply go past your due date. It can feel scary and overwhelming when you had planned to go into labor naturally.
But it’s really not so bad of an experience, especially if you know what to expect.
Below is all the information you’ll need to prepare for your induction.
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Everything You Need To Know About Pregnancy Induction
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When Induction Is Initiated
Pregnancy induction is most often done when your pregnancy goes over the 40-week mark.
But sometimes there are other reasons surrounding your situation that would call for induction.
If your labor doesn’t start after your water breaks they may decide to go ahead and medically start your labor process.
They may also decide to do this when the baby’s estimated weight is less than the 10th percentile for gestational age. This can be a sign of fetal growth restriction within the womb.
**Check out this quick online induction course for $9 that will give you instructions on everything you need to know to prepare for your induction. Click the image below to check out this quick and easy course.
Other reasons may include when the amniotic fluid surrounding the baby is low or when diabetes develops during pregnancy, or diabetes existed before the pregnancy.
Also, the development of preeclampsia could create the need to induce as well as the placenta peeling away from the inner wall of the uterus before delivery. This is known as placental abruption.
The Risks Involved In Induction
Failed induction
Occasionally your induction may not work. This is when all the methods used to induce labor don’t produce a birth within a 24-hour time frame.
This happens in about 20% of inductions and if it does your doctor will assess your condition and your baby’s vitals and you may be offered another induction or a cesarean section.
Low fetal heart rate
Another risk of induced labor is a slowed heart rate for the baby since some induction medications cause increased contractions that lessen the amount of oxygen that reaches the baby.
If this happens a C-Section may be required.
Uterine rupture
If your induction doesn’t go smoothly and is lengthy there’s the possibility of uterine rupture. This is caused when your cervix doesn’t respond well to the induction process and there’s a lot of pressure within the uterus.
The uterus ruptures and the baby can slip into the mother’s abdomen. This is very serious but luckily very rare.
However, induction increases your chances of this complication slightly. So it’s something you should know.
Bleeding after delivery
Everyone bleeds after childbirth. It’s a normal part of Postpartum healing.
But occasionally a woman will have what’s known as a Postpartum Hemorrhage. This is more severe and life-threatening bleeding after pregnancy.
The reason this sometimes occurs is that after the placenta has been expelled, the uterus doesn’t contract the way it is supposed to so that the blood vessels effectively close.
This is called uterine atony, and these blood vessels bleed freely and hemorrhage occurs.
Unfortunately with Induction, there’s a whopping 20% increase in risk for Postpartum Hemorrhage.
Infection
Some methods of labor induction, such as rupturing the membranes, might increase the risk of infection for both mother and baby.
It’s rare but it does happen.
What You Can Expect When Being Induced
Stripping Of Membranes
This sounds kinda scary but it’s a simple process. Your doctor sweeps their finger between the thin membranes of the amniotic sac in your uterus. This helps separate the sac.
It’s uncomfortable but usually only takes a few seconds.
Breaking Your Water (also called an amniotomy)
Next, they will break your water. The doctor ruptures the amniotic sac during a vaginal exam using a little plastic hook to break the membranes.
If the cervix is ready for labor, this usually brings on labor in a matter of hours.
Giving The Hormone Prostaglandin To Help Ripen The Cervix.
Prostaglandin is a gel or tablet that is inserted into your vagina to soften the cervix and help prepare it for the next stage of labor.
Once this is done, you’ll need to lie down for at least 30 minutes and remain in the hospital usually until labor begins.
Giving The Hormone Oxytocin To Stimulate Contractions
A synthetic version of the hormone oxytocin is given to you by IV drip to start your contractions.
When they start, the amount of oxytocin is adjusted so you keep on having regular, stronger contractions until your baby is born.
There are a few other important posts added as well:
- How To Survive Postpartum Pain Without Crying!
- What Nobody Tells You About The First Few Weeks Postpartum ** A Must Read
- Postpartum Survival Kit | Everything You Need To Minimize Your Pain
- Postpartum Vaginal Care
- What To Expect The First Week Home With Your Newborn
- Postpartum Survival Kit | Everything You Need To Minimize Your Pain
What It Feels Like
Stripping the membranes can be a little painful or uncomfortable, but the good news is that it is a very quick process.
It may bring on some intense cramping but you’re going to feel that during the birthing process anyway.
Having your water broken is somewhat uncomfortable as well. You’ll feel tugging sensations inside, then pressure.
You will then feel a gush or trickle of warm liquid.
You may feel a tug followed by a warm trickle or gush of fluid.
When prostaglandin is inserted, you may feel some strong cramping as well.
With oxytocin, contractions are usually more intense than in labor that starts naturally, and they come much more quickly versus a naturally started labor where things would come at a slower pace.
In some cases, an Induction may not be possible. Below are some reasons why it may not be an option:
- You’ve had a C-section or major uterine surgery
- You have placenta previa
- Your baby is lying breech or transverse
- You have an active genital herpes infection
- The umbilical cord slips into the vagina before delivery
It can be a surprise when your doctor decides you need an induction when you hoped for a natural birth. But despite a few risks, it’s very safe and things usually go very smoothly. Taking this quick course can fully prepare you for what to expect so that you go in understanding exactly what will happen during your birthing journey.
We wish you all the luck in the world.
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