INDUCING LABOR AND PREGNANCY
Inducing labor is the action that doctors do to give a try for helping labor
by using medications or some other medical techniques. Some of doctor very common
to use induced labor, years ago. But now, that techniques is not usally done
except if the pregnant woman really need medical for it. Typically labor is
allowed by its natural course, with not to much medical intervention.
When to Start
Usually most of woman will go into labor between their 37th week of pregnancy
and their 42nd week. Even if your due date was two weeks ago, most health care
professionals wait until 42 weeks’ gestation before considering a pregnancy
overdue. If your or your baby’s health seems to be compromised, though,
then there will be some extra pressure to have labor induced or have a cesarean
section performed before this time. Talk with your doctor or midwife to see
if labor induction is the best decision for you.
For healthy moms and babies, some health care providers may offer to let you
continue your pregnancy after 42 weeks. However, most will usually suggest medically
inducing labor once you hit the magical 4-2.
Why Induction ?
Usually the doctor will suggest to take the induction action with some problem
bellow :
- Your water broke.
- Your baby still hasn't arrived by 2 weeks after the due date (when you're
considered post-term — more than 42 weeks into your pregnancy).
- You have an infection in the uterus called chorioamnionitis.
- You're having a pregnancy with certain risks (i.e., if you have gestational
diabetes or high blood pressure, or your baby has growth problems).
Problems with Being Overdue
Aside from being very uncomfortable and impatient, there are some issues associated
with going past your due date. After 42 weeks, concerns start to rise about
possible complications with the baby. Most notably, there is a slightly increased
risk of stillbirth (about 1 in 1,000 babies). But evidence suggests that inducing
labor can help reduce this risk.
If you’re past your due date, there are a few tests that your health
care provider will do to monitor the health of your overdue baby. A non-stress
test is commonly performed, which will monitor your baby’s heart rate.
An ultrasound will also let you see that your baby is doing just fine. At home,
you can count the number of movements you feel from your baby throughout the
day. The more he moves, the better.
Get it Out! How to Induce Labor
There are a few different ways your labor can be medically induced. One common
way is to use prostaglandin gel. This gel, which helps to soften your cervix,
is applied to the back of your vagina. While the gel alone may be enough to
start labor, it can also increase your risk of developing a fever, having diarrhea,
cause fetal distress and possibly cause you to hemorrhage after birth.
Something with a bit less risk associated with it is having your water broken.
However, to do this, your cervix needs to be dilated a few centimeters. Plus,
some women find the procedure, which involves an instrument that resembles a
large crochet hook, to be rather uncomfortable. While breaking your water can
sometimes be enough to get labor going, other times this procedure needs to
be combined with a syntocinon IV.
Syntocinon is a synthetic hormonal drug that is administered through an intravenous
and causes your uterus to contract. It is a fairly reliable method of inducing
labor. However, the side effects of this technique include an increased chance
of needing a cesarean (due to a lack of progression) as well as pain medication;
fetal distress; hemorrhaging after birth and the need for continuous monitoring
of your baby.
If your health care provider suggests inducing your labor, find out if it is
really in your best interest to have your labor induced or if it is just being
suggested because it is "standard procedure."
Natural Ways to Induce Labor
If the medical methods of jump starting labor sound a bit off putting, there
are a number of home remedies for inducing labor naturally when you are past
your due date. But remember: none of these remedies will start labor unless
you have already begun to dilate. However, some methods can help you to tone
and soften your uterus.
- Eat spicy foods or pineapple.
- Go for a walk or march up some stairs. This is thought to bring on labor
because of the pressure of the baby’s head pressing down on your cervix.
At the very least, walking can help get your baby into a better position for
labor.
- Have sex. A favorite for many pregnant women, sex can help by releasing
a hormone called oxytocin, which causes the uterus to contract. Additionally,
semen contains a substance known as prostaglandins, which will help soften
the cervix.
- Nipple stimulation. For those who find sex just too uncomfortable right
now, nipple stimulation may be a better choice. It helps to bring on labor
in much the same way sex does, by releasing oxytocin. However, this method
may take a bit more effort than sex to start labor.
- Stretching of the uterine opening membranes. This can be done by your doctor
or midwife and has been found to increase the chances of labor starting within
48 hours.
- Complementary therapies. Acupuncture, massage, teas, herbs and homeopathic
remedies can be helpful when it comes to inducing labor. However, make sure
you go to a licensed practitioner who has experience treating pregnant women.
One home remedy that is often recommended to pregnant women is castor oil taken
either alone or with orange juice. While some women swear by this method, many
experts and women who have tried it will strongly advise you against it. Castor
oil may or may not bring on labor but it will definitely make you nauseous,
cause you to vomit, have diarrhea and suffer severe cramps so just steer clear
of this home remedy.
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