what is done when the doctor induces your labor?

Question

I need to kno what happens when your doctor get ready to induce you labor. I need to know exactly what is done b/c i may be done next week

Answer 1

The methods your practitioner would use to induce labor depend on the condition of your cervix at the time. If your cervix hasn't started to soften, efface (thin out), or dilate (open up), it's considered "unripe," or not yet ready for labor. In that case, your practitioner would use either hormones or "mechanical" methods to ripen your cervix before the induction. Sometimes these procedures end up jump-starting your labor as well.

Some of the methods used to ripen the cervix and induce labor are:

• Stripping or sweeping the membranes. If your cervix is already somewhat dilated, your practitioner can insert her finger through it and manually separate your bag of waters from the lower part of your uterus. This causes the release of hormones called prostaglandins, which may help further ripen your cervix and possibly get contractions going. In most cases, this procedure is done during an office visit. You're then sent home to wait for labor to start, usually within the next few days. Many moms-to-be find this procedure uncomfortable or even painful, though the discomfort is short-lived.

• Using prostaglandin medications. Your practitioner may try to ripen your cervix by inserting medication that contains prostaglandins into your vagina. This medication may also stimulate contractions — sometimes enough to jump-start your labor.

• Using a Foley catheter. Your practitioner may insert a catheter with a very small uninflated balloon at the end of it into your cervix. When the balloon is inflated with water, it puts pressure on your cervix, stimulating the release of prostaglandins, which cause the cervix to open and soften. When your cervix begins to dilate, the balloon falls out and the catheter is removed.

• Rupturing the membranes. If your cervix is at least a few centimeters dilated, your practitioner can insert a small, plastic hooked instrument into it and break your bag of waters. This procedure causes no more discomfort than a vaginal exam. If your cervix is very ripe and ready for labor, there's a small chance that this alone might be enough to get your contractions going. If that doesn't happen, your practitioner will give you the drug oxytocin (Pitocin) through an IV. Once your water has broken, most practitioners will want you to deliver within the next 12 to 24 hours because the risk of infection for you and your baby increases over time.

• Using Pitocin. Pitocin is a synthetic form of the hormone oxytocin, which your body naturally produces during labor. Your practitioner may give you this drug through an IV pump to start or augment your contractions. She can adjust the amount you need according to how your labor progresses.

Answer 2

There are a few things that can be done. Things can be done differently in different places, remember, and not everyone responds the same. There is a gel, or cream, that the doctor can insert up inside. I had this done the evening when I went into the hospital, but it did not work. For some it does, they start having contractions.
The next morning, bright and early, they put me on an IV drip - with pitocin, the medicine in it. Sorry, but I really can't remember how long it took to start having contractions, I just remember it starting to hurt. They had to strap a monitor around my belly, and I wanted to take it off because it hurt and was uncomfortable, but they wouldn't let me. It was a good thing they didn't, either.
Now, there were nurses coming in and out, and I was lucky that that shift had a midwife (from England, but working as a nurse here), and my doctor all checking in at different times.
What I didn't know until way after I had my baby, I'll share with you. When a woman has labour naturally, the contractions build up - they ebb and flow, they have a natural rhythm to them. When you are induced, the contractions just come, there is no buildup. But they will do pain control for you. I just didn't know the difference until later.
In my case, I was in labour for over 10 hours, when my baby's heartbeat went dangerously low, so they whisked me into the operating room to have an emergency c-section. The cord was wrapped around his neck twice, but they got him out in time, and he was totally healthy, and so was I. Because it was an emergency, there was no time to wait for an epidural, so I had to have a general anaesthetic, so didn't see my baby for over an hour after he was born. He was, however, in the most capable hands of my husband.
Don't worry about being induced. They all know what they are doing, and wouldn't do it if it weren't needed. You need to look out for your baby. Wish you luck!

Answer 3

Well I got Pitocin after my water broke naturally and I was not progressing for hours. I was so upset I dialated from 2centimeters to 10 in only 2 hours and delivered so fast I had no options epidural and got a lot of tearing.