What are the Reasons for Inducing LaborInitiating labor in a pregnant woman without contractions is the simplest way to define induction of labor. The goal of inducing labor is to achieve a vaginal delivery through uterine contractions and cervical dilatation before the start of spontaneous labor. Induction is getting too common. Based on statistics, induction rate has increased to 100% since the 1990’s. It is important to understand however that not all these cases are clinically indicated inductions. The process may have been misused over time and much of the increase is due to elective inductions. These are cases wherein labor was initiated without a medical indication. There are many factors to be considered before deciding to go through induction. The most common medical indications are the presence of maternal conditions such as hypertension, gestational diabetes, kidney and heart disease, fetal demise or the death of the fetus in utero, post date pregnancy ( one or two weeks overdue), excessively large babies (macrosomia) and the presence of infection in the uterus. Induction of labor should not be done on cases wherein the pregnant woman has vasa or placenta previa and if she has an active genital herpes infection. A C-section birth may be recommend instead. Abnormal fetal positions such as a breech baby and umbilical cord prolapse are also contraindications to induction. There are also risks involved. Not all induction of labor lead to successful deliveries. It can increase the risk of caesarian delivery to women who are induced compared to the women going into spontaneous labor. Read more of our articles on labor and delivery
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