What exactly is being induced? Why do women get induced?

Question

I am 34 weeks pregnant and my baby is measuring a bit larger.

Answer 1

I have been induced 6 times now. It is when you are given help to encourage labor to progress. Some woman, like me, do not spontaniously go into labor and need a bit of help kick starting the system. I have had my labor stop after my water was broken the one and only time I had labor start on its own. Go figure right? Woman have many reasons for being induced. The best reasons are if there is a danger to the mother or baby. Preeclampsia is cured by the birth of a child. Some woman with gestational diabetes need to have the baby a bit sooner so that they can still have a natural child birth as opposed to a c section. One of my children kept turning and causing the cord to become entangled around the kneck so she was induced 2 days befor eher due date.The less than prefered reasons are purely selfish reasons. The "We need to know when to have a sitter" "I have an event I don't want to miss" "I am worried about breaking my water in the middle of a store" I try and let my body go into labor on its own each time because I know each day closer to my due date is another day of health and growth for my baby before they burst into the world.

Answer 2

Someone else will give you the medical details.

But one thing to think about. A lot of women choose being induced because its more convienent to pick a day instead of being surprised. Or so it falls on a certain holiday or other date. Some just because they are ready to have it all done with and just do it. But of course there are certain medical reasons when a doctor will recommend it.

But years and years of studies have started to show a problem with all of this and the ever increasing rate of inductions. Some babies come a little later and some earlier. It's when the body says that it is time for the baby to be born.

Studies are showing that in a large number of inductions there are health issues (suceptabilty to illness, behavior issues, learning problems, etc.) that may not arise or become apparent until even the teen years. Kind of makes sense though........ if you induce the body has not had time to completely finish it's job.

Answer 3

Women get induced when it's medically necessary. It could be because they are 42 weeks and going beyond that the placenta starts to fail and it's dangerous. It could be because the baby is too big so they induce a little early. There are a variety of reasons, but it can cause some complictaions, and it's reserved usually for when its really needed. There is a giher risk of needing a C-section when induces as well, since they can only let you go so long after they break your water.

The way they induce you is giving you pitocin through an IV, which is a synthetic hormone that causes contrations. They will break your water at a certain point to speed things along. Pitocin can work immediately, or it can take up to 48 hours to kick in.

Answer 4

Being induced is a medical start of labor. You receive an IV and pitocin through the IV (which is the hormone that causes labor naturally). There are many reasons for induction. Some women are electively induced after their first baby--this means that they schedule the day that they will be induced usually anytime after 38 weeks. Other reasons for induction can have a medical nature. If the baby is small for age, having the baby can help b/c we can control factors on the outside of the womb in regards to growth, but not in. Some women have inductions for large babies b/c their doctors are concerned if the baby gets too large it will be difficult to have a vaginal delivery. Sonograms are only so accurate for size, though. They can vary +/- 1 lb. One of my friends was induced b/c they thought her baby was over 9 1/2 lbs and he wasn't even 8. Just make sure that the time is same. Anytime aftr 38 weeks is definately okay as long as you're sure your dates are accurate. Hope everything goes well for you and baby!
P.S. I was induced w/ all 3 of my kids. The first time was due to my being 41 weeks and my blood pressure being elevated (she was 9#). The 2nd time was for my son being small. We found out he had a short cord which was wrapped around his body--doctor said if we had let him go naturally, he could have died (he was 38 weeks). My 3rd was induced because I was done being pregnant (also at 38 weeks). The last one was the easiest. Got my epidural before my contractions even got worse than period cramps. The 1st one took about 20 hr--had cervidil for 12 hr which softens cervix. The 2rd one took about 8 hrs (no cervidil). Hope this helps.

Answer 5

Being induced is having your labor artificially started. Women get induced for numerous reasons. I have been induced 3 times and will be induced a 4Th time once I can convince my doctor to do it. The first time I was 2 weeks overdue. The next two times was for preeclampsia. This time it will be because I have gestational diabetes and I am having a hard time controlling my numbers. Lots of different reasons. Hope this helps.

Answer 6

Everyone has explained it well. At 34 weeks you wont be induced for measuring large. Unless there is a medical problem. The baby is not full term until 37 weeks.

Answer 7

Being induced means that the doctor usually breaks your water t o start labor. There are a few reasons why women get induced, large baby, past due, or complications with pregnancy. I was induced because my amniotic fluid was low. It was a great experience in my case.

Answer 8

Induction is when they give you drugs to start labor. They usually give Pitocin via IV, but they can also apply a gel to the cervix or break your water to start labor.

Women are usually induced when they are overdue, there is a medical problem that makes it healthier for the baby to be outside the womb, or the baby is exceptionally large. Some women also choose to be induced to have the baby at a convenient time.

Answer 9

you will go into the hospital the night before the doctor wants you to have your baby, and they will give you cervidal, which usually stays inside you for 8-10 hours (it help you dilate) but it only works on 50 % of people. then the next morning, usually around 6 am you will have pitocin started in your i.v. that will start contractions. if you are having an epidural, tell the nurse as soon as you start to feel uncomfortable. every woman's length of labor is different. women get induced if they are over due, if their baby is too big, or if there are complications and the baby needs to come early. i hope that helps! good luck.

Answer 10

An induction is a way to start labor... it can be done various ways...The most common method is a Pitocin Induction.

* Pitocin Induction: An IV is started in your arm and a drug called pitocin is administered slowly at various intervals by a RN to start contractions and start a regular labor pattern. You are monitored on a fetal heart rate monitor throughout.

*Breaking the bag of waters: Just as it sounds, your physician break the bag of waters, labor hopefully insues, if not then Pitocin is usually started.

*Creams/Pills, etc: Inserted in the cervix often starting contractions and then labor.

The reasons women get induced are often medical...baby is too big, or small, high blood pressure,post dates, Gestational Diabetes, other various things...but there is also an "Elective" Induction...where the pt is scheduled--just because. You have to be close to your due date and your cervix has to be ready...

If you need to be scheduled for a medically indicated induction and your cervix isn't ready or "ripe" it can be chemically ripened, by creams/pills, etc. That happens as well..

I hope this helps!