What Are The Pros And Cons For Having An Induction?

Before we talk about the pros and cons of induction, let’s talk about induced labor, and why it is done. Labor induction- also called inducing labor, is when your doctor gives you some medicine or uses some other method to start labor (1). It helps stimulate the contractions in the uterus so that labor begins on its own to do a vaginal delivery. Successful labor induction can be predicted by checking how soft and distended the cervix of the mother is (2).

Why It Needs To Be Done

Now let’s come to why labor induction is done. It is mostly recommended by the doctor when there’s a concern for the mother’s or baby’s health. There can be several factors which help your doctor decide if it’s necessary to induce labor (3).

• If you are nearing 2 weeks beyond your due date, and there are no signs of labor

• Your amniotic sac has ruptured, but labor hasn’t started

• If you have chorioamnionitis, which is a uterine infection

• If you have gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, hypertension, or chronic high blood pressure

• If there’s placental abruption where the placenta peels partially or completely from the inner uterine walls

• If the baby is not surrounded by the required amniotic fluid

• If you have certain medical conditions such as obesity or kidney disease

Labor can be induced in the following ways (4)

• Your doctor may rupture the amniotic sac by using a sterile plastic hook.

• Your healthcare provider may give you a medication called prostaglandins to thin and soften the cervix. It can be given orally or through the vaginal opening.

• Your doctor may otherwise give you a medicine called oxytocin to help start the labor. It is given through an IV in small doses to start the contractions.

Pros Of Inducing Labor

It is often done if there’s a higher risk of the baby’s health being compromised (5).

• In situations where the water is broken and the labor doesn’t start, there’s a higher risk of the baby suffering from oxygen deprivation while in the uterus and may also develop other health issues.

• In cases where the placenta is ruptured, the baby’s life might be at risk. So, induced labor gives a better survival rate for the baby being born.

• If the mother is suffering from certain health conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes, a prolonged pregnancy past the due date may pose greater health problems for the mother down the road. In such cases, labor induction helps reduce the risk of complications.

• Oxytocin-induced labor can speed up the labor process.

• In cases of artificial rupture, the labor may be shortened by an hour (6).

• The doctor can also check for signs of fetal distress by examining the amniotic fluid for any presence of meconium.

• The doctor will be able to check the infant’s heart rate as well in artificial rupture induced labor by having direct access to the scalp of the baby.

Cons Of Inducing Labor

Inducing labor also comes with its own set of risks (7):

• The induction may not always be successful. About 25% of women have a failed induction and may be taken for an emergency C-section.

• The medications that are used to stimulate contractions might cause excessive and abnormal contractions. This can lead to low oxygen supply for your baby and also diminish your baby’s heart rate.

• Inducing labor by rupturing the membranes of amniotic sac can increase the risk of infections if labor takes a long time to complete.

• Uterine rupture is a serious complication that can occur because of a prior major uterine surgery or cesarian. Very rarely it also happens in women who never had a uterine surgery in their life. In such situations, an emergency C-section may be needed for the safety of the mom and the baby. Your doctor may also remove the uterus.

• Labor induction also increases the risk of bleeding after childbirth where the uterine muscles won’t contract properly after delivery.

Induced labor mostly leads to successful vaginal delivery. Your doctor can help you decide why it’s the safest option for you if any complications arise during your pregnancy.

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