Parenting

Thursday, November 26, 2009

I just learned that my doctor wants to induce my labor. What is going to happen?

With an induction, every health care provider has their own preferences and will tailor what they recommend to your specific circumstances. With many inductions, midwives and OB/GYNs may use a "prostaglandin gel" in the cervix to help it soften and dilate. We call that "ripening the cervix." Many times, using a prostaglandin gel one or two times will help the cervix soften and contractions will start. Sometimes, a provider will recommend that Pitocin is used. This is an intravenous (IV) medication that is biologically equal to the oxytocin that a woman's body produces when she's in labor. Pitocin will help contractions start and also helps them be stronger and more effective.

Some providers believe that rupturing the bag of waters is helpful, though many studies have shown no benefit with this approach for speeding up labor or helping with contractions. In any case, it's always best to check with your provider and ask them to give you an idea of what they prefer to use and what they will typically try if Plan A isn't effective. I've found with my patients that having an idea of what they might encounter helps them feel less anxious. Good luck.

For more from Nurse Barbara, visit The Cradle.


About The Author

Barbara Dehn is a regular contributor to www.thecradle.com and is a practicing Women's Health Nurse Practitioner, award winning author, and a nationally recognized health expert. Barbara wrote and publishes a series of innovative and award-winning women's health guides on Fertility, Pregnancy, and Breastfeeding. Her Blue Orchid Guides have been used by millions of women across the country and were designed to “Empower Women with Information.” Barbara practices with Women Physicians in the heart of Silicon Valley. She has over 20 years experience listening to and caring for women. She’s helped countless women and couples navigate their way through pregnancy and the transitions of parenthood.

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From the Community…

Comments 1-10 of 21
  • Alex's Avatar
    Posted by Alex Mon Aug 25, 2008 1:53pm PDT

    I was given Pitocin to induce labor because my blood pressure had gone through the roof. Let me tell you that I became immensely swollen the following day. My legs and arms were about 3 times their normal size and my face turned into a shapeless blob.

    I'm sure it wasn't the Pitocin alone but it's known to do that. It took about a week and a half for all the swelling to go down plus an additional 2 weeks for my feet to return to normal size. I will tell you that normally my shoe size is 6 but my feet got so large I had to use a size 10. Yeah.

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  • NATALY's Avatar
    Posted by NATALY Mon Aug 25, 2008 4:55pm PDT

    I was given Pitocin to induce labor because my water broke, and i had a natural delivery. This was my first child and to me it was not that bad. I was so scared because of all the things i was told about induction, but the bottom line is everyone is different and no one can say what your experience would be like, since they are not you. I wish you the best and hope goes well. My only advice is not to be nerves as that WILL MAKE things harder.

    GOOD LUCK

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  • Brigette's Avatar
    Posted by Brigette Mon Aug 25, 2008 5:43pm PDT

    I was given pitocin to induce my labor because my baby were over her due date. This was my first pregnancy. I was so scared because I was there all by myself and the staff also i were thinking about all the things other people told me about indution, but the main thing that everything turn out fine me and the baby were doing fine thank god and the staff at the hospital. My advice to others just believe in yourself and the god and everything will come out fine.

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  • HotCrossBuns's Avatar
    Posted by HotCrossBuns Mon Aug 25, 2008 5:51pm PDT

    I had my 3rd baby 3 wks early by induction. He was the easiest birth! Pitocin was started early in the morning, my labor progressed steadily throughout the day, an epidural was given in late afternoon, and I had him (vag birth) after 2 pushes within an hour after that. Piece of cake, really!

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  • Brandi's Avatar
    Posted by Brandi Tue Aug 26, 2008 6:16am PDT

    I have a blood disorder and therefore was induced with my first and so far only child. They used pitocin and the only thing I can say is that labor came hard and fast with no breaks in between contractions. I agreed to an epidurhal about 2 hours into it and just rode it out with no pain until it was time to push. Best experience I could have hoped to have. My son was born with some fluid in his lungs, but other than that, I couldn't have asked for it any other way.

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  • Caramel Cake's Avatar
    Posted by Caramel Cake Tue Aug 26, 2008 7:06am PDT

    I have had five children, all but one naturally. This last one was a c-section,and my labor was induced. I had went to the hospital on Monday morning at about 9 am, and didn't have my son until Tuesday afternoonaround 3pm. I was in so much pain, not from the labor or the baby , but from the inuction of my labor. I don't know if it was me or I was just in that much pain! I had been in labor for hours, and when they induced me, that was something I will never forget. My son did not want to come out, he had just picked a spot in there and refused to give it up.I don't suggest getting induced, but if you have a lazy/stubborn child like I did, then they will tell you you have no other choice.

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  • Erin's Avatar
    Posted by Erin Tue Aug 26, 2008 7:19am PDT

    My midwife induced my labor with pitocin after my water broke and six hours later I still hadn't started contracting. The contractions came on so strong and so fast I couldn't hardly breath between them and next time if they need to induce, I plan on asking for the prostoglandin gel before they give me pitocin.

    On the upside though (and I have no idea if the pitocin had anything to do with it) once I started pushing, my daughter was out in about 15 minutes, which was pretty awesome.

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  • Disgruntled's Avatar
    Posted by Disgruntled Tue Aug 26, 2008 7:47am PDT

    I had induced labor with my son. My water had broken and I wasn't dilated at all. For me it was basically like having one long contraction for 18 hours. I gave birth to my son in an Air Force hospital so I only got the pitocin. (Military hospital care for dependents of enlisted military is basic to say the least.) At one point the nurse felt sorry for me and turned down the dose because I was in so much pain. Then she came back 5 minutes later and cranked it back up because I wasn't "progressing fast enough." I wasn't offered any kind of pain medication and there are about two hours I have no memory of at all. My husband says I was saying all kinds of strange things that I can't remember at all. I would never have induced labor unless it was necessary. The whole experience was horrible.

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  • Mary's Avatar
    Posted by Mary Tue Aug 26, 2008 8:09am PDT

    I had pitocin for all three of my deliveries and I would do it again in a heartbeat. My first baby was born in less than three hours after they started the pitocin. Granted I was about 4cm. dilated going into the hospital and I was just given that to help everything along. As far as the contractions being stronger than when a woman delivers without any intervention, how does one really know that? Contractions are strong no matter what. I believe it is really how a woman tolerates pain more than anything. Good Luck!

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  • amethystrain's Avatar
    Posted by amethystrain Tue Aug 26, 2008 8:44am PDT

    I went in to be induced. But my water broke before I was given the Pitocin. There was meconium in the water, so they started the pitocin drip to speed things up.

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