inducing labor?

Question

i am 40 weeks and my doctor will induce my labor but is this safe? and which one is the right method to use ?

Answer 1

Why are they inducing you now? Most docs wait until 41+ weeks if there is no other medical reason for inducing.

Inductions happen differently. It depends on what kind of condition your cervix is in before you begin - you may need cervical ripening to make it soft and favorable for induction. To do that, there are a few options, prostaglandin gel, Cervadil, or Cytotec. Cervadil is the most likely to work the best, and often times mothers will begin contracting on their own after it has been in place for a few hours.

Once the cervix is ripe, some docs will rupture your membranes (if baby is low enough in the pelvis and your cervix is dilated at least 2-3cm.) Labor usually begins within a few hours on it's own once membranes have ruptured when you are full-term. Otherwise, pitocin via IV is the method just about everywhere uses.

All methods of induction carry some risks, but ultimately they are generally safe, and are used very frequently. You will be monitored very carefully.

You should be talking to your doctor about their plan for you.

Answer 2

I had to be induced with both of my daughters, the first at 38 weeks and the second at 40 because my blood pressure started going up. With my first daughter they tried getting contractions to start with a Cervadil which is a pill they place against your cervix. This started contractions, but they were't regular enough to actually be considered labor so they gave me a sleeping pill and told me to get a good night's sleep and they would start the Pitocin drip in the morning. The irregular contractions apparently continued through the night (while I was sound asleep and oblivious) because when I got up to get in the shower the next morning, my water broke. After that, they started the Pitocin i.v. drip and after eight hours of labor and twelve minutes of pushing, I had my little girl! With my second daughter they started out with the Pitocin, but I wasn't progressing very well, so the doctor broke my water with that long crochet-hook type thing they use which made the contractions more intense. After ten hours of labor and five minutes of pushing, there she was! They do say that inductions can increase your risk of needing a C-section, but there was never any cause to even wonder if one would be needed in either of my deliveries. Just one word of warning, though. If they do use Pitocin to induce you, it is more intense than natural labor. With natural labor, the contractions start off mild and gradually intensify. With Pitocin, the first one can hit you like a ton of bricks, and they never let up so your body doesn't get to gradually adjust to the pain. Still, you can just get an epidural and be blissfully unaware of what your body is going through (that's what I did!). All in all, it is probably better to go ahead and be induced that to wait too long past 40 weeks because delivering a large baby also comes with risk, and they have found that the placenta becomes less effective as it gets older, too, which could place your baby at risk. Good luck and congratulations!

Answer 3

Inducing labor is completely safe. I was induced and what they did is put a gel on my cervix to soften it, you must be 90-100% effaced before they can give you the pitocin, which is the medication that brings on the contractions, once you are dilated to a certain point they will break your water. Depending on your situation they may or may not do this exact procedure. Breaking the water is what really starts it all.
Good luck to you

Answer 4

It is safe, although sometimes it does make labor more difficult and painful. You're doc will use the method(s) that are right for your situation. My doc used a multitude of methods to induce me. Not to scare you, but it took over 36 hours, and still I wasn't going into active labor even with all the meds and procedures, so they had to give me a c-section.

Answer 5

Your doctor will choose one thats right for you. They will either try an oxytocin drip through an IV or they will try and insert a gel onto you cervix to encourage dilation of your cervix. Other than that i am not sure what else they do! It is safe to a point. You will be monitored continiously to both see how the baby is fairing with the forced labor and how strong your contactions are.

Answer 6

It is generally safe, but there is an increases risk of C-section when you are induced. A normal pregnancy lasts anywhere from 38-42 weeks, so you can tell your doctor you'd rather wait a little longer.

Answer 7

Make love to your partner!!! I gave birth at 41 weeks. I did not want to be induced, so my md told me that having intercourse would provoke uterine contractions. Basically, it has to do with breast stimulation (this is what provokes the contractions) combined with the semen (this provokes that the cervix dilatates. I followed the sugestion and had a wonderful labor without having to pump my body of artificial stuff. Good luck.

Answer 8

I was 40 weeks and my doctor stripped my membranes on a thursday, and my water broke that friday night before midnight. It wasn't that painful, and after it was done which only took a minute I was able to go home and wait. It doesn't always work though, but nothing is a sure thing.

Answer 9

Yes of course it is safe, i was induced with my first baby, they used a pessaries which was inserted in the vagina to soften the cervix which bought on my labour. He will talk to you about all the options available to you and which one he will be using.

Good luck x

Answer 10

Talk to your doctor, don't worry yourself about any painful stories of labor this far into your pregancy.

Good Luck, You'll do great.