In plain words
Induction is the medical start of labor. A clinician uses medicine or a mechanical method to begin contractions and move the birth along. Many people use the word on its own, and it means the same thing as . The entry for induction of labor covers the methods, the reasons, and what to expect. An induction can be planned for a medical reason, such as a condition that makes waiting unsafe, or for a pregnancy that has passed its due date. It is not a sign that something is wrong by itself. An induction may take hours or more than a day. It can end in a vaginal birth or a . A provider can explain the reasons for induction in a particular case.
The deeper version
Induction of labor is the artificial initiation of uterine contractions before spontaneous onset, with the aim of vaginal delivery. uses analogues or mechanical devices such as balloon catheters, followed by if needed. Indications include , diabetes, , prolonged pregnancy, and ruptured membranes without labor. ACOG Practice Bulletin 228 (2021) sets out criteria and methods. The ARRIVE trial (Grobman and colleagues, New England Journal of Medicine, 2018) found that induction at 39 weeks in low-risk women was associated with a lower cesarean rate and no increase in adverse perinatal outcomes.
Where it comes up
- Planning a cesareanGetting Ready for Birth
- Writing a birth plan that actually helpsGetting Ready for Birth
- When your water breaksGetting Ready for Birth
What mothers here say about induction
No one has posted under this term yet.
Sources
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists — Practice Bulletin 107: Induction of Labor, 2009, reaffirmed
- Grobman WA et al. — Induction versus expectant management in low-risk nulliparous women (ARRIVE trial). New England Journal of Medicine, 2018