Induction
A full term pregnancy usually starts on its own between 37-42 weeks. But for some women, their labour might need to be started artificially. This is called induction.
If labour is induced, your and your baby will need to be closely monitored to see how your body handles the induction. Many choose to have pain relief as well because an induced labour can be more intense than labour that has started on its own.
Three common ways to be induced are:
1.Prostaglandin gels or Cervidil insertion
2. Artificial rupture of membranes(AROM) with pitocin administered through an IV
3. Foley bulb/balloon catheter
Ask your doctor what your Bishops Score is before starting an induction, which is preformed by a vaginal exam. See below for more information on Bishops Score.
(If your being induced for medically reasons, asking your Doctor/midwife the benefits and risks of waiting a few days longer before the induction)
It is very important to try to keep an open mind and relaxed body when going through an induction. For some, it may only take 12 hours or less, but for many women it may take a few days. Keeping yourself hydrated, eating nutritious food and resting/sleeping when you can will equip you for what is ahead. This is your journey to meeting your baby!
What you can expect might happen with these inductions:
1. Prostaglandin gels or cervidil insertion. Your care giver will insert a medication (in the shape of a tampon) inside, close to your cervix. Or a small amount of gel around your cervix. These contain prostaglandins that will soften and ripen your cervix, and encourage contraction to start.
2. Artificial rupture of membranes(AROM) with pitocin through IV. Care giver will break your waters, initiating contractions to start and pitocin to encourage contractions to become stronger and closer together, encouraging your cervix to dilate.
3. Foley bulb/balloon catheter. Doctors will insert a catheter with one or two balloons inside your cervix. Once the balloons are in the right position, your doctor will inflate the balloons with a saline solution putting pressure on your cervix to efface and dilate, with contractions. Once you are 4-5cm dilated the balloons will fall out or feel looser. This might be followed with AROM or Pitocin, depending if your contractions increase or decrease.
Ask your Doctor or midwife about the risks and benefits of each method and why they suggest the specific route of induction for you.
Bishops Score
If your Bishops score is high, it means that there’s a greater chance that an induction will be successful for you. If your score is 8 or above, it’s a good indication that spontaneous labor would start soon. If an induction becomes necessary, it’s likely to be successful.
If your score is between 6 and 7, then it’s unlikely that labor will be starting soon. An induction may or may not be successful.
If your score is 5 or below, it means that labor is even less likely to start spontaneously soon and an induction is unlikely to be successful for you. (If your being induced for medically reasons, then it is still worth the try, or asking your doctor the benefits and risks of waiting a few days longer before the induction)
Dilation of the cervix. This means how far your cervix has opened in centimeters.
Effacement of the cervix. This means how thin your cervix is. It is normally about 3 centimeters long. It gradually becomes thinner as labor progresses.
Consistency of the cervix. This means whether your cervix feels soft or firm. Women who have had previous pregnancies usually have a softer cervix. The cervix softens before labor.
Position of the cervix. As the baby descends into the pelvis, the cervix — the doorway to the uterus — moves forward with the head and the uterus.
Fetal station. This is how far up the birth canal the baby’s head is. Usually, before labor begins, the baby’s head moves from –5 (high up and not yet in the pelvis) to station 0 (where the baby’s head is firmly in the pelvis). During labor the baby moves through the vaginal canal until the head is clearly visible (+5) and the baby is about to be delivered.
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