The
Risks of induction of labor (IOL)
• Elective Induction is not without risks.
Induction has been associated with strong frequent
contractions (uterine hyperstimulation); this
causes the uterus to work overtime, cutting off
the oxygen supply to baby. Hyperstimulation is
defined as contractions lasting longer than 90
seconds or having more than 5 contractions in
10 minutes. Hyperstimulation is caused by strong
doses of drugs administered for induction and
can affect your baby's well being.
• Uterine rupture – this is especially true
if you have had a c-section previously. An induction
can cause a tear in the uterus and bleeding which
can be dangerous for both mother and baby. This
holds true for incisions down the center of the
uterus.
• A planned induction can result in higher
incidence of cesareans and postpartum hemorrhage,
especially in first-time moms.
• There is a risk of baby being delivered
before time i.e. before he has completely matured,
giving rise to serious physical problems. This
is especially the case if miscalculation of age
occurs. ACCG necessitates that induction should
not be done unless the lady is at least 39 weeks
pregnant.
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Pre-induction
• For elective induction you will need to
be warded one night before labor is induced so
that your cervix can be ripened with the help
of medications. Before inducing labor your cervix
must soften and open. Synthetic forms of prostaglandins
which mimic the natural chemicals to trigger contractions
will be used if the woman's cervix hasn't naturally
dilated. Popular forms include Misoprostol (Cytotec)
and prostaglandin E2 or Dinoprostone (Prepidil,
Cervidil), which will help induction work better.
These drugs are taken orally in tablet form or
inserted inside the cervix as a tablet, gel or
suppository. All medications used to induce
labor have one major risk: they might result in
strong forceful contractions that may affect baby's
oxygen supply adversely.
• Apart from prostaglandin treatment, the
other method is to place a catheter with water-filled
balloon into the uterus via the cervix opening.
The catheter will irritate the uterus into action
and the balloon will cause the cervix to soften
and open. It can only be used if the cervix is
open wide enough to allow the insertion of the
catheter. After 6-24 hours Oxytocin will be administered.
• Another way to dilate the cervix is called
laminaria where small reeds or cylinders of dried
leaves of the laminaria plant are placed inside
the cervix; these leaves swell from moisture and
cause the cervix to stretch.
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