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Induction of labor is sometimes necessary when the delivery date is prolonged or when prolonged pregnancy may endanger the life of the mother and child. Natural labor for most women begins between 37 and 42 weeks of pregnancy. However, it happens that this time is longer and additional stimulation of the body is required in order to initiate the natural labor action. Labor induction under the supervision of a specialist is a safe and non-invasive procedure.
What is labor induction?
Labor induction procedure, in other words, induction of labor, is induction of uterine contractions in a pregnant woman in order to induction of labor delayed pregnancy or when a longer pregnancy may have health consequences for the mother and the child, for example if the pregnant woman suffers from gestational diabetes, hypertension or when the risk of pregnancy poisoning is suspected. Labor induction it can also be performed in women who have ruptured the fetal bladder, but the labor has not started.
Labor induction it can also be performed before its due date (pre-induction). Pre-induction treatment it accelerates the dilation of the cervix appropriate for the beginning of labor.
Labor induction aims to induce labor in a natural way by stimulating uterine contractions through physical or pharmacological treatment.
To induce (induce) labor under the supervision of a physician, methods are used to release or inject natural hormones such as oxytocin and prostaglandin into the body. Oxytocin has the effect of inducing uterine contractions and initiating labor, its natural growth is caused, among others, by irritation of the nipples. Oxytocin it can also be administered intravenously in the form of a drip with an artificial hormone.
Prostaglandyna on the other hand, it accelerates the process of opening the cervix. Prostaglandyna it can be applied in the form of a gel administered vaginally.
Physical induction of labor consists in the removal of the lower pole of the fetal bladder, which causes the natural birthing action to begin.
As a physical method labor induction in Poland, puncture of the fetal bladder is also often used – amniotomia, however, this way induction of labor has a risk of complications and is not supported by the World Health Organization.
For many years, the World Health Organization (WHO) held the position that “you shouldn’t induce childbirth for convenience. In any geographic region, the proportion of such births should not exceed 10% ”(WHO, 1985). Despite this, after 25 years, the WHO reports contained information that “in developed countries, more than 25% of full-term births begin with the use of induction“. In Poland, the percentage of deliveries caused by labor induction surgery it is even higher, up to 50% of all births. However, is it an abuse?
Indications for induction of labor
According to the recommendations of the Polish Gynecological Society induction of labor should be performed in people who have premature rupture of the fetal bladder and if there are such conditions as: chronic and pregnancy-induced hypertension, pre-eclampsia, diabetes or gestational diabetes, intrauterine infection and other chronic diseases characteristic of pregnant people. Labor induction it is recommended when there is a serological conflict, when there are fetal malformations, fetal hypotrophy or when intrauterine death is found.
Disadvantages of induction of labor, side effects and complications associated with it
Labor induction may result in the necessity to undertake a caesarean section when in connection with inducing or accelerating labor there is a risk of hypoxia, postpartum hemorrhage, premature separation of the placenta and damage to the cervix or uterus. Also, contractions of the uterus during labor after labor labor induction they are much stronger and more painful than having a natural birth.
Natural methods of induction of labor
To avoid necessity induction of labor pharmacologically or surgically by a doctor, in the case of delayed delivery and lack of delivery contraindications – complications and diseases that may endanger the health of the child or mother – we can try to use natural methods labor inductionwhich we can check ourselves or with the help of a partner.
Oxytocin, your natural birth-inducing hormone is released when the nipples are irritated or sucked. Sexual intercourse can also positively affect the level of hormones in the pregnant body and trigger the commencement of labor. A long walk, a warm bath or going downstairs can also start contractions of the uterus. triggering the birthing action.
Natural induction of labor They are also supported by preparations and herbs that induce contractions, such as evening primrose oil, red raspberry leaves, viburnum and black bug.