What to Expect in Labor Induction

What is Labor Induction?

In most pregnancies, labor occurs naturally, and you little one will make his or her big appearance when they're ready. However, there are special circumstances when your labor may need to be induced to speed along your baby's delivery before natural labor occurs.

Your labor may be induced it there is a medical condition that may threaten your life or your baby's, or if your due date has passed and you have not gone into labor.

Labor can be induced either by medication or by your physician creating a small hole in your amniotic fluid or water sac that surrounds your baby.

What Should I Expect?

Before you arrive at the hospital to have your labor induced, you may want to eat a light meal, as labor can be a long process.

When you arrive at Sacred Heart Women's Hospital, please proceed upstairs to triage as you would for a natural delivery. Once you are admitted to Labor and Delivery from triage, your personal childbirth nurse will review your medical history and ask you some basic admission questions. After your paperwork has been completed, you will be placed on a fetal monitor to watch your baby's progress, and an IV will be started to you your labor-inducing medications.

Are There Complications Associated with Labor Induction?

As with many other medical procedures and medications, there are some risks associated with labor induction.

Studies show that labor induction can increase the length of labor and the pain associated with contractions. It may also increase your chance of adelivery with forceps or a vacuum device or a Cesarean section (C-section).

Some studies also suggest that labor induction may increase the risk of complications for your baby and may require at stay in our Intensive Care Nursery.

For these reasons, you and your doctor should carefully consider the risks and benefits of labor induction.

For more information on labor induction please call Sacred Heart at (850) 416-7000 or ask your OB/GYN physician.