The first thing a woman does after she gets a positive pregnancy test is fantasize about the day the baby will be born. Most of us wish that the baby will make it to term but will be born early, somewhere between 37-39 weeks gestation to be exact. Pregnancy can seem to last forever and the excitement you have to meet your little one can be overwhelming. Many women become miserable towards the end of their pregnancy and will do anything to be “done.” It’s important to remember that in hindsight your pregnancy will go fast and your little one will be in your arms before you know it.
“To all the mamas who are waiting patiently (and sometimes anxiously) for labor to begin: remember that this is your first act of selflessness as a mother. There will be many more. But for now, this acceptance of your child’s unique journey, this willingness to trust your baby, will set the tone for your future relationships.” -Lauralyn Curtis
Sometimes medical induction is necessary to prevent risks from complications that arise during pregnancy. Induction of labor should be offered only for certain medical complications that are supported by scientific evidence and prove the benefit outweighs the risk of induction [1]. These medical indications include disorders like gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, intrauterine growth restrictions, and cholestasis [2]. Your midwife will communicate the current evidence-based guidelines and provide counseling in helping you make the right decision for you and your partner. Through education and valuable discussions with your midwife, she or he can assist in helping you make an informed decisions regarding induction.
Midwives strongly support the normal physiologic process of birth. We believe that spontaneous labor offers substantial benefit to the mother and her newborn. Disruption of the normal physiologic process of birth without an evidence-based medical indication represents a risk for potential harm[1]. Elective induction has been noted as contributing to late pre-term births and should never be offered to any woman prior to 39 weeks gestation. Elective induction before 41 weeks gestation can increase the chance of having cesarean if the cervix hasn’t softened or there is minimal dilation [1].
The goal of a midwife is to empower women to have normal physiologic labor–this is characterized by spontaneous onset and progression of labor. Induction of labor interferes with the normal physiological processes of spontaneous labor; the full extent of the disruption is not well known [1]. Research related to the long term effects of induction is emerging but is still insufficient to determine the full impact of newborn effects. Current studies are finding disruption in fetal brain development and increased risk for Autism Spectrum Disorders and behavioral concerns. Evidence also suggests that some critical processes, such as lactogenesis, attachment, and parenting are interrupted by induction of labor [1].
The decision to induce labor requires consideration of the potential for harm verse benefit, including short and long-term complications for the woman and her baby. Ask your midwife to discuss these risks with you. Remember midwives promote choice—you always have CHOICES. Your decisions and requests are always valued so never hesitate to talk openly with your midwife.
Induction Methods
If induction is recommended it’s important to request to have cervical ripening agents if your cervix is unfavorable. Unfavorable means your cervix is not dilated or barley dilated, firm, and still high in your vagina. Cervical ripening agents decrease the chance of needing a cesarean. Cervical ripening agents can take between 4-24 hours or even longer in some cases. Cervical ripening agents include the following:
- Cervidil: This medication is a prostaglandin that is placed in your vagina for 12 hours—it releases 0.3mg of medication an hour. It kind of looks like a small tampon with a string on it. This medication works by softening your cervix (the opening of your uterus) and helps with dilation. One benefit of this medication is you can take it out at anytime. One risk is that this medication can cause your uterus to start contracting to frequently, the good news is if this happens it can quickly be removed. A downfall is that this medication works for over 12 hours, so it can take a long time.
- Cytotec: This is another prostaglandin medication used to soften your cervix and encourage dilation. This medication is not FDA approved for cervical ripening but is standardly used throughout the US as a cervical ripening medication for induction. It can be dosed every 4 hours for 3 doses—you can place it in your cheek and it will dissolve, you can swallow it, or it can be inserted into your vagina. This medication has the same risk of Cervidil in causing frequent contractions and it cannot be removed once administered. The benefit is that this medication only takes 4 hours but it is possible that you will need another dose or two.
- Low-dose Pitocin: Pitocin also known as “Oxytocin,” is a synthetic hormone of a naturally occurring hormone we normally produce in our brain. This medication is given in a IV. This hormone helps the uterus contract effectively during labor. Low-dose Pitocin can be used as a cervical ripening agent. This means that the dose of Pitocin will never go above 4 milliunits per hour. The side effects of this medication are that the baby will not tolerate the medication or it might cause contractions too frequently. This is rare when administered at such a low level. The good news is it can quickly be turned off.
- Foley balloon (Cooks catheter): This is the most common method of mechanically dilating the cervix [3]. Your midwife will use a speculum or his or her fingers to insert a small balloon into your cervix; she will then insert some sterile water to inflate the balloon, about 30 cc’s. This will put mild tension on your cervix. The balloon will fall out on it’s own when your cervix dilates to a 3 cm—this usually takes between 6-12 hrs. The benefit of this procedure is that it ripens the cervix in a natural way using no synthetic hormones. This is the most “natural way” to ripen the cervix. The risk is that it can cause your bag of water to break and in rare cases the cord can prolapse. This is uncommon and rarely occurs but it is a risk to be aware of. The procedure can also be a little uncomfortable and cause some cramping but once it is in place the discomfort usually goes away.
When you start active labor there are other methods to help encourage continual dilation of your cervix and adequate uterine contractions to promote the birth of your baby. These two methods are listed below.
- Breaking bag of water: Your midwife will use a tool called an “amniohook” to break your bag of water. This can be uncomfortable but it is not a painful procedure. This helps the baby engage in the pelvis and put pressure on the cervix increasing dilation + progression of labor. The risk of this procedure is that it can cause the baby to become malpositioned, the cord can prolapse, and there is always an increased risk of infection if your bag of water is broken for a long period. This method of induction can shorten the period of labor by 2 hours or more [1].
- Pitocin: Pitocin also known as “Oxytocin,” is a synthetic hormone of a naturally occurring hormone we normally produce in our brain to stimulate labor. This hormone helps the uterus contract effectively during labor. This hormone can also help the uterus contract down to its prepregnancy size after you delivery your baby. This medication is administered IV during labor and your baby’s heart rate is continuously monitored to ensure they are tolerating the medication. Risks of this medication include that your baby will not tolerate the medication, it can cause your uterus to contract too much, your blood pressure to drop, and there is a chance of increased blood loss after the delivery of your baby. Your midwife and nurses will be monitoring your baby closely to ensure you and your baby are tolerating this medication. This is a very common medication and used frequently on the labor & delivery unit.
Expected Time Frame
Induction can take anywhere from 6 to 72 hours or longer. Usually, women who are having a baby for the first time have a longer induction than women who have already had a baby. The most important thing to remember is that it can take time, so have patience and bring some movies to watch or games to play with your husband while you wait for active labor to begin. Your midwife will be by your side every step of the way—she or he will give you thorough education regarding risk, benefits, and alternative options. Just remember you always have CHOICES.
Resources
2.http://www.acog.org/Womens-Health/Labor-Induction
3.http://transform.childbirthconnection.org/2013/02/choosing-wisely/
