Induction of Labor - Tips to Make It Safe
Doing your homework is the best way to make informed decisions when the subject of induction of labor comes up with your doctor.
There are several determining factors that go into judging the effectiveness of this procedure.
If your body isn't at least somewhat ready for the whole birthing process, it may be a very unpleasant experience for mom and baby.
Sixty percent of inductions fail to work, and they end in unexpected Cesareans.
You'll want to be sure your body and baby are ready.
Your Bishop's Score: 5 Things Your Cervix Can Tell You Your doctor or midwife will want to know how ready your cervix is to decide if an induction will even work.
During a vaginal exam, your provider will look for these five things and give you a "Bishop's Score": 1.
Dilation (how open your cervix is from 0 cm to 10 cm) 2.
Effacement (how long or thinned out your cervix is from 0 to 100 percent) 3.
Station (how low baby is from -3 (floating) to +2 (head fully engaged)) 4.
Position (how your cervix is facing (posterior-towards the back or anterior-to the front)) 5.
Consistency (how hard or elastic your cervix is) It is easier for a cervix to open that is primed for birthing.
Each of the items above are assigned a score of 0, 1, or 2.
The higher the score, the more likely labor will begin.
If the score is low, or less than a 6, you may consider cervical ripening or artificial hormones to induce labor.
Unless there is a medical reason, it's probably best to wait for your cervix to be ready.
That also means your baby will have more time inside mom to finish growing at this important time in his development.
8 Questions To Ask Not all medical interventions are good for mom and baby.
Here are some questions to ask your doctor or midwife: 1.
What is the reason you want to start labor? 2.
What are the conditions like inside the womb? (amniotic fluid amount, health of the placenta, growth of the uterus, etc.
) 3.
Can you guarantee baby is better off outside rather than inside of my body now? 4.
As the mother, do I have medical conditions that make this procedure necessary? (a preexisting health condition, a VBAC, number of previous deliveries, etc.
) 5.
What is my doctor's or midwife's preference? Why? 6.
As the mother, what is my preference? Why? 7.
Am I healthy or is there a problem? 8.
Is my baby healthy or is there a problem? Also, having your doctor explain the safety and efficacy of each technique will help you determine which option is best for you.
For example, if your doctor artificially breaks your bag of waters, you may find yourself having to birth within a certain time frame, which may lead to further interventions, like a cesarean section.
Some choices may pose unnecessary safety concerns for you and your baby.
Your Due Date Is An Estimation If you are unsure of your due date, artificially starting labor for non-medical reasons may prove to be an unsafe choice for your baby.
The risks of babies born pre-term include breathing problems, infection, and time spent in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Remember it's an estimate, not a sure thing.
Only 5% of babies are born on their due date.
The average pregnancy actually lasts over 41 weeks, not 40 weeks! Five Questions: How The Medical Procedures Affect The Birthing Process Ask your doctor or midwife to run through the complete scenario of what you can expect during the process.
Here are some sample questions to ask: 1.
Will I be confined to the bed or will I have the ability to walk around or take a bath or shower? 2.
Will the baby and I be continuously or intermittently monitored during the induction? 3.
What are benefits and risks involved with the techniques you plan to use? 4.
How long will we spend on each technique or procedure? 5.
What will we do if the induction technique doesn't work? Will you try an alternative method? Developing and discussing a birth plan with your doctor or midwife may be key in communicating your wishes and goals for your birth.
Make sure to take time to discuss your objectives with your caregivers.
Have three or four copies of this plan at the office, at your birth place when you pre-register, and one or two for when you arrive on your baby's birthday.
Find a Support Person Along with your birth plan, identifying a support person for the day of birthing your baby may prove invaluable.
This person might be your partner, a family member or a doula.
Whomever you choose should be well versed in your goals and desires so they can keep you focused on the target of a healthy birthing experience.
They can help you communicate your wishes calmly and concisely with the medical staff.
Just remember that the ultimate goal is to have a healthy mom give birth to a healthy full-term baby.
So go ahead and ask your questions, weigh your choices, and make your baby's birthday one of the most joyous days ever!
There are several determining factors that go into judging the effectiveness of this procedure.
If your body isn't at least somewhat ready for the whole birthing process, it may be a very unpleasant experience for mom and baby.
Sixty percent of inductions fail to work, and they end in unexpected Cesareans.
You'll want to be sure your body and baby are ready.
Your Bishop's Score: 5 Things Your Cervix Can Tell You Your doctor or midwife will want to know how ready your cervix is to decide if an induction will even work.
During a vaginal exam, your provider will look for these five things and give you a "Bishop's Score": 1.
Dilation (how open your cervix is from 0 cm to 10 cm) 2.
Effacement (how long or thinned out your cervix is from 0 to 100 percent) 3.
Station (how low baby is from -3 (floating) to +2 (head fully engaged)) 4.
Position (how your cervix is facing (posterior-towards the back or anterior-to the front)) 5.
Consistency (how hard or elastic your cervix is) It is easier for a cervix to open that is primed for birthing.
Each of the items above are assigned a score of 0, 1, or 2.
The higher the score, the more likely labor will begin.
If the score is low, or less than a 6, you may consider cervical ripening or artificial hormones to induce labor.
Unless there is a medical reason, it's probably best to wait for your cervix to be ready.
That also means your baby will have more time inside mom to finish growing at this important time in his development.
8 Questions To Ask Not all medical interventions are good for mom and baby.
Here are some questions to ask your doctor or midwife: 1.
What is the reason you want to start labor? 2.
What are the conditions like inside the womb? (amniotic fluid amount, health of the placenta, growth of the uterus, etc.
) 3.
Can you guarantee baby is better off outside rather than inside of my body now? 4.
As the mother, do I have medical conditions that make this procedure necessary? (a preexisting health condition, a VBAC, number of previous deliveries, etc.
) 5.
What is my doctor's or midwife's preference? Why? 6.
As the mother, what is my preference? Why? 7.
Am I healthy or is there a problem? 8.
Is my baby healthy or is there a problem? Also, having your doctor explain the safety and efficacy of each technique will help you determine which option is best for you.
For example, if your doctor artificially breaks your bag of waters, you may find yourself having to birth within a certain time frame, which may lead to further interventions, like a cesarean section.
Some choices may pose unnecessary safety concerns for you and your baby.
Your Due Date Is An Estimation If you are unsure of your due date, artificially starting labor for non-medical reasons may prove to be an unsafe choice for your baby.
The risks of babies born pre-term include breathing problems, infection, and time spent in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Remember it's an estimate, not a sure thing.
Only 5% of babies are born on their due date.
The average pregnancy actually lasts over 41 weeks, not 40 weeks! Five Questions: How The Medical Procedures Affect The Birthing Process Ask your doctor or midwife to run through the complete scenario of what you can expect during the process.
Here are some sample questions to ask: 1.
Will I be confined to the bed or will I have the ability to walk around or take a bath or shower? 2.
Will the baby and I be continuously or intermittently monitored during the induction? 3.
What are benefits and risks involved with the techniques you plan to use? 4.
How long will we spend on each technique or procedure? 5.
What will we do if the induction technique doesn't work? Will you try an alternative method? Developing and discussing a birth plan with your doctor or midwife may be key in communicating your wishes and goals for your birth.
Make sure to take time to discuss your objectives with your caregivers.
Have three or four copies of this plan at the office, at your birth place when you pre-register, and one or two for when you arrive on your baby's birthday.
Find a Support Person Along with your birth plan, identifying a support person for the day of birthing your baby may prove invaluable.
This person might be your partner, a family member or a doula.
Whomever you choose should be well versed in your goals and desires so they can keep you focused on the target of a healthy birthing experience.
They can help you communicate your wishes calmly and concisely with the medical staff.
Just remember that the ultimate goal is to have a healthy mom give birth to a healthy full-term baby.
So go ahead and ask your questions, weigh your choices, and make your baby's birthday one of the most joyous days ever!
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