There are several reasons why labor needs to be induced. The fact is: nowadays the initiation of childbirth is no longer unusual. And in many cases it is Induction of childbirth also a redeeming step for the mother to finally end the pregnancy or to be able to hold the unborn child in her arms.
The waiting is over
Even if labor usually starts on its own, nature needs help every now and then. If contractions do not start or if they are too weak, there is always talk of inducing the birth. The birth process can therefore be started with artificially created labor. The birth is initiated especially if the pregnancy is very long or there are possible dangers that affect the baby or mother.
There are different ways to Induction of childbirth. However, the doctor advises in advance which variant is preferred or explains to the pregnant woman which advantages and disadvantages are possible. In theory, there are no risks. However, should complications arise, induction of labor is terminated or the child is delivered by caesarean section.
Reasons to induce childbirth
There are many reasons. The most common reason is so-called placental insufficiency. Under this circumstance, the unborn child is not supplied with enough oxygen. If there is a visible hazard that has been determined in the course of an ultrasound, CTG or Doppler sonography, induction of labor is also recommended.
It is also advisable to induce labor if the baby is relatively large before the 38th week of pregnancy and the further course of growth suggests that the child will become even bigger or heavier, so that a normal birth process in the 40th or 41st week of pregnancy would not be possible.
If the urine ruptures prematurely without labor, induction of labor with medication is also recommended; in this way a possible risk of infection for the baby can be reduced or prevented entirely. Twins are usually born by caesarean section. Spontaneous births are of course also possible. However, childbirth can also be initiated if one of the two children is not adequately supplied with oxygen.
If the unborn child is ill and there is no possibility of treating it in the womb, a birth must also be initiated. Even if the mother is ill (pregnancy-related high blood pressure, gestational diabetes), the birth can be initiated so that the risk of any complications relating to the mother can be reduced.
If the mother suffers from severe physical and psychological complaints after the 37th week of pregnancy and the doctor has determined that the baby is already very mature, labor can also be induced.
When does it start?
The birth is initiated if either the health of the child or the mother is at risk, or if there is sometimes a risk for the baby. In the maternity ward - depending on the nature of the cervix - attempts are made to induce the birth with synthetic oxytocin or artificial prostaglandins. However, it can take some time before the birth process actually begins.
For this reason, the mother (and also the child) must be under constant observation. The birth is initiated if the due date has already been exceeded seven to ten days, there is a diabetes disease that did not arise due to the pregnancy, the child suffers from a lack of oxygen or a multiple pregnancy and the mother does not want a natural birth.
Methods of Induction of Labor
Induction of labor with oxytocin infusion has the advantage that the physician can estimate the time of delivery relatively well and a long induction is therefore not necessary. From the infusion onwards, the baby is monitored using CTG. This method is used when the woman's cervix is soft and can also be opened relatively easily; the uterus then signals that it is ready for labor.
If the doctor has determined that the cervix is immature, induction of labor with prostaglandins is preferred. The medication is applied as a gel, tablet or pessary near the cervix. The cervix then becomes softer and opens up. The first contractions come - statistically - after about two or three hours. However, if no contractions occur, more prostaglandins are administered after six hours.
Permanent monitoring using CTG is not necessary; the CTG is only written permanently after the first labor has started. If the cervix is mature, the birth process can be facilitated or supported by means of labor infusions.
If, however, no contractions start within 48 hours, the doctor - together with the mother - must clarify whether another attempt should be started or the induction should be paused. If the doctor determines that the child is sometimes in danger, a caesarean section is recommended.
Always with Tranquillity!
Even if the initiation of childbirth means real stress for many women, because they had different ideas about the birth of their child, it is important to keep calm. In the end, the initiation is not actually an artificial process, but a support of the birth. It is important that the pregnant woman asks all questions that concern her or that she speaks to the doctor about any fears and concerns. In fact, artificial discharge does not pose a risk.
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