Induction (birth) - Definition and Overview

Induction is a way of artificially bringing on labour in a woman.

Common causes for induction include:

• The baby is believed to be getting too big
• Postdate pregnancy, i.e. if the pregnancy has gone past the 42 week mark
• Intrauterine fetal growth retardation (IUGR)
• There are health risks to the woman in continuing the pregnancy (e.g. she has preeclampsia)
• Premature rupture of the membranes (PROM); this is when the membranes rupture, but labour does not start within a specific amount of time.

Methods of induction

Methods of inducing labour include:

• Artificial rupture of the membranes (AROM) ("breaking the waters")
• Cervical prostaglandin gel
• Intravenous administration of synthetic oxytocin preparations such as Pitocin.

If induction does not work, a Caesarean section may be required.

External links

• Family.doctor.org (http://familydoctor.org/x2054.xml)
• Harman & Kim. "Current Trends in Cervical Ripening and Labor Induction (http://www.aafp.org/afp/990800ap/477.html)" American Family Physician 1999; 60:477-84.
• Kripke. "Facts About Labor Induction (http://www.aafp.org/afp/990800ap/990800a.html)" American Family Physician 1999; 60:484.