Inducing Labor

When a woman has approached the 40th week, the doctor will usually tell her how long she will have to wait before inducing labor. Some doctors wait a week after the due date and others will wait a full two weeks after the due date. An ultrasound is done many times to ensure that the baby is fully developed and a good weight.

Will The Labor Be Stronger Than A Labor That Was not Induced?

With induced labors, labor begins faster and usually does not let you "warm" up to contractions. Some people believe that induced labors are more painful. Others do not believe induced labors are any more painful than "normal" occurring labors. What can happen is that too much pitocin can be given and the contractions can be very strong at a very fast rate. The nurse who will remain with you during delivery usually monitors this very carefully. Communicate with the nurse during labor and let them know what is going on with your body.

How is the Induction Performed?

The induction of labor is usually performed early in the morning. The doctor will usually have you pre-admit yourself to the hospital and then arrive on a designated day. Upon arrival you will usually fill out forms and answer questions. This usually takes about an hour. Once all of the paper work has been completed, someone will take you by wheelchair to a birthing room. Some hospitals will take you to a general hospital room. After you are settled in, you will be prepped (partially shaved), checked vaginally for dilation and breaking of water if has not already happened, and given an enema (usually, but not always). Some women will begin to have contractions after the breaking of their water and the enema. Breaking of the waters alone can begin labor without having to use pitocin, but doctors will generally still induce labor to speed it up.

After about an hour and a half of being admitted, you will be given an IV and pitocin will be administered via the IV. You will normally begin to fill the contractions anywhere between 15 minutes and an hour after the pitocin is given. Labor has begun! 
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