What are the risk of induction and what is the induction process?

Question

I am scheduled for an induction and was curious as to what the process is and what the risk are.

Answer 1

I was past due with both of my babies and had to be induced both times. The first time they broke my water, with what looked like a little plastic crochet hook. My labor progressed quite naturally from there.

With my second, I had a German doctor and he was not near as gentle, it was a very bad experience for me.

You should talk with your doctor about the way they handle an induction at your particular hospital/practice. In the first case for me, I couldn't have been happier. In my second delivery, I was given Pitocin immediately, which should not have happened.

Remember, you are a consumer when you utilize health care services. You have every right to ask your doctor and staff all the questions you need to until you feel comfortable with the plan.

Best wishes!

Answer 2

When I was induced they just put pitocin into my iv bag and I began to have contractions. I had the baby a couple of hours later. There are no major risks that I know of. I am going to ask for an induction again with this baby because my husband is away for weeks at a time and I want to make sure he is around when it happens. Induction is totally safe.

Answer 3

There are a bunch of different ways.

They might try to ripen your cervix with a prostaglandin gel. They use an applicator, kind of like what you'd use to apply a treatment for a yeast infection, and just put the gel in there. It takes a few hours before you know if it's working or not. Some doctors prefer to try it a few times before moving on to something else.

You might be hooked up to an IV containing pitocin, which is the hormone that causes labor.

If your cervix is ripe, and you're having contractions, but things are still moving along slowly, your doctor might use a tool kind of like a crochet hook to break your water. (If they do this, you'll also start getting IV antibiotics.)

There are other methods, but those are the common 3.

The biggest risk is that the intervention of an induction makes you more likely to require other interventions. And you're more likely to end up delivering via C-section.

There are other risks as well, but your doctor is the one who should be telling you about the risks specific to YOU.

Answer 4

Im assuming that your doctor has a reason for enducing you and there are soooo many reasons for induction. I went into preterm labor at 27 weeks, made it through that with magnesium sulfate, terbutaline and bedrest. At 39 weeks they ended up inducing me because the baby was getting too big! You go in, they start IV fluids, usually saline and Oxytocin to get your contractions started. They will see how you progress as far as dialation, and station, and thinning. If you are progressing nicely and they want to get it really going they will break your water. After your water breaks, the contractions will be at their worst. So I suggest that you ask for an epidural before they break your water. My induction started at 9:05 am and had my water broken at 11:00, had my epidural about an hour after that when I could no longer stand the contractions, I was at 5 cm when they started the epidural and my son was born at 3:00 on the nose. It took 8 mins to deliver him from the time I started pushing. He weighed in at 7 pounds 8 ounces and was 20 inches long.

Answer 5

I am not sure of the risks. But I was induced 3 yrs ago w/ my daughter. Everyone is different. I was reading what other people wrote. Once they start me on Pitocin. It was 18 hrs before my daughte was born. She was large. 9lbs 10oz. I am actually scheduled for an induction Nov. 22 w/ my second baby to hopfully avoid having a large baby again. Hopfully this time it goes faster.
I would talk it over w/ your Dr.
Good Luck!

Answer 6

Hi!

I had my second baby induced, because his sister was 9.5 lbs and I was scared. :) It was scheduled for the day after his due date. They gave me Pitocin in my IV, and an epidural, at my request.

I had a really slow start, with irregular contractions for hours. Then my water broke, and unfortunately, my baby's umbilical cord was swept out (prolapsed). It was getting pinched by my contractions, so I ended up with an emergency C-section under general anesthesia.

I really think that this would not have happened if I had not been induced... I think that he hadn't really settled down to be born, which left room for the umbilical cord to get pushed down and out. However, I don't blame anybody for this, as it was totally my own decision. Fortunately, we both came through OK!

I think the risk would vary according to the reason for the induction... for example, if you are having complications during your pregnancy, your risk of problems in labor will probably be higher.

Hope that helps!

Answer 7

I have been induced 4 out of 5 times. For me they started me on pitocin early in the morning and with my last two they were born by 1 pm. As long as your body is ready there are not really any risk. If your body isn't ready it can cause your cervix to swell and force you to need a c-section.

Answer 8

Well for me, they brought me in the night before, put cervidel on my cervix to soften it, then the next morning they started giving me pitocin to start contractions, after a couple hours they broke my water....then it went really quick from there. They told me they didn't even give me 1/2 of the normal dose...guess all I needed was that little push to start me off. I'm not sure of all the risks, but as far as I know, it's pretty safe...

Answer 9

I read all the below answers and they are pretty accurate. The one thing I wished I would have known before being induced: the contractions are way different than natural labour. With natural labour, the contractions come in waves, and build up so you are kind of ready when they get stronger. With being induced, the contractions just kind of slam into you, they are much harder. However, your dr. will manage pain control for you. Wish you luck!

Answer 10

inducyion will be bring on no infection it is usually a medication put into iv, brings on conractions, sometimes used in conjuction w/ breaking bag water bag. Safe.