As it turns out, that deeply-held idea was not based on sound science. And a few new studies have found that, in fact, inducing healthy women at 39 weeks isn't necessarily associated with an increased risk of C-sections, and could be associated with some advantages, too. Do inductions cause C-sections?
Findings from ARRIVE indicated that medical induction at 39 weeks gestation in first time low risk pregnancies resulted in a lower rate of cesarean deliveries compared to expectant management – or waiting for labor to occur on its own or for a medical need for labor induction.
However, the proportion of cesarean delivery was significantly lower for the induced group (18.6 percent), compared to the other group (22.2 percent).
In most cases, labor induction leads to a vaginal birth. A failed induction, one in which the procedure doesn't lead to a vaginal birth, might require another induction or a C-section.
Specifically, there were fewer stillbirths with a policy of induction (1 stillbirth versus 10). The absolute risk of perinatal death was 3.2 deaths per 1,000 births with a policy of expectant management versus 0.4 deaths per 1,000 births with a policy of induction.
Induction is not a quick process. Once it has started, it may take more than 24 hours until your baby is born. If your cervix needs to be primed, it may take two days or more.
Contractions help push your baby out of your uterus. Your provider may recommend inducing labor if your health or your baby's health is at risk or if you're 2 weeks or more past your due date. For some women, inducing labor is the best way to keep mom and baby healthy. Inducing labor should be for medical reasons only.
However, when it comes to babies and birth, unless there is a clear medical indication that induction of labor will do more good than harm, nature beats science hands down. For both mothers and babies, it is safe and wise to wait patiently until labor begins on its own.
Some people report an induced labour to be more painful, and the hospital stay during and after birth may be longer. It is also associated with a more negative birth experience (Adler et al, 2020; NICE, 2021a).
In countries such as the US, UK and Australia, c-section rates have reached an average of around 30%, which is double the recommended rate. This also means around one in three babies is being born via major surgery. Hospitals in these countries have rates that can range from 15% to over 50%.
What are the risks of labor induction? With some induction methods, the uterus can be overstimulated, causing it to contract too often. Too many contractions may lead to changes in the fetal heart rate. Other risks of cervical ripening and labor induction can include infection in the woman or her fetus.
Synthetic oxytocin causes your uterus to contract more frequently and more intensely than with natural oxytocin. These intense contractions can affect how much oxygen your baby is receiving. If your baby shows signs of distress, a c-section may become necessary.
In addition, it is not an all-or-none choice: the option is not to have elective induction of labor at 39 weeks or refuse elective induction of labor completely. A woman may choose not to be induced at 39 weeks, but may change her mind at 40 weeks.
It is well established that labor has to be induced in approximately 20 % of pregnancies [1]. However, induction fails in 20 % of induced pregnancies [2].
Traditionally, in most hospitals, induction of labour starts early in the morning, with the start of the working day. In human and animal studies however, spontaneous onset of labour is proven to have a circadian rhythm with preference for start in the evening.
In other words: The research showed that inducing labor after 41 full weeks of pregnancy prevented 2 out of 1,000 babies from dying during birth or shortly afterwards. Inducing labor after this amount of time was also found to lower the risk of other problems such as meconium aspiration (breathing in meconium).
Inducing labor involves intervening in the body's natural processes by breaking the amniotic sac, using medication, or both. However it's done, it can lead to fetal distress (such as abnormal heart rate).
When induction fails, it is most often because your baby wasn't ready to be born and your body hadn't had the signal it was expecting to get ready. Induction interferes with the normal process your body is expecting and either doesn't respond well or refuses to cooperate.
Induced labour is usually more painful than labour that starts on its own, and you may want to ask for an epidural. Your pain relief options during labour are not restricted by being induced. You should have access to all the pain relief options usually available in the maternity unit.
Induced labour is usually more painful than natural labour. Depending on the type of induction you are having, this could range from discomfort with the procedure or more intense and longer lasting contractions as a result of the medication you have been given.
(Some OBs will go ahead and break your water at 3 or 4 centimeters.) The reasoning behind this: “Artificial rupture of membranes” (popping a hole in the amniotic sac) will usually jumpstart labor by getting serious contractions underway.
something loose and comfortable to wear during labour that does not restrict you from moving around or make you too hot. 3 changes of loose, comfortable clothes. 2 or 3 comfortable and supportive bras, including nursing bras if you're planning to breastfeed – remember, your breasts will be much larger than usual.