Labor induction is the method of stimulating the labor by artificial means. This is done by the doctors in order to make the cervix of the pregnant woman to thin out and prepare itself for the birth. Induction is usually done with the use of some medicines or some other techniques to get the things on towards the labor. Labor induction is however not a necessary step in the labor.  Labor Induction will not be done if the pregnancy is less than 39 weeks and is normal. The doctors decide on whether to induce or not by considering some factors like you and your baby’s condition, the pregnancy, the condition of the cervix and similar other factors.
Some of the common causes for induction

1) If you have not got labor pain naturally in 42 weeks of your pregnancy, the labor is induced.

2) The baby is observed to be growing bigger than the normal which may lead to difficulty in natural birth later on.

3) If you have high blood pressure during your pregnancy.

4) There is some infection found in the uterus

5) If the water has broken before time.

6) If there is any predicted risk to the mother or baby.

Apart from the above, labor inductions are also done for scheduling concerns in some cases.

Methods of  labor induction-

Dilating or ripening the cervix: This method is adopted in order to make the cervix soft, thin and stretchable for the labor. It is the preparation of the cervix for the vaginal birth. There are medicines as well as devices for dilating the cervix.

Rupture of amniotic sac: This is the method where the amniotic sac is ruptured and allows the water to break, if it has not been broken naturally. It is done by making an opening in the amniotic sac which will help to get the contraction started. After the water breaking the delivery may occur within hours. If this fails, the doctor may choose an alternate method of induction.

Stripping the membrane: In the term pregnancy the doctor uses her gloved finger to sweep over the membranes that is connecting the amniotic sac to the wall of uterus. Also, the prostaglandins which are released by the body at this time, will make the cervix soft and cause contraction.

Use of Oxytocin: Oxytocin is a medicine that is used for labor induction. This is either used to induce labor or make the contraction frequent and stronger. It is given in the form of IV so that it flows to the bloodstream.