All About How to Induce Labor

Labor doesn’t always start on its own, and sometimes it may need to be induced for medical reasons or because you’re ready to meet your baby. If you're curious about ways to induce labor naturally or medically, this guide will walk you through your options and what to expect.

What Is Inducing Labor?

Inducing labor means using medication or other methods to start or speed up contractions. Simply put, your healthcare provider intervenes to encourage your body to begin the labor process. This may happen if there are medical reasons or if labor isn’t progressing naturally.

Reasons to Be Induced

While it’s usually best to let labor start on its own, there are times when inducing labor is the safest option for you or your little one. If your pregnancy is healthy, your provider may recommend waiting until at least 39 weeks to allow your baby’s brain, lungs, and other organs to fully develop. However, there are reasons to be induced earlier if complications arise.

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Some reasons doctors induce labor may include:

• Your pregnancy lasts beyond 41 to 42 weeks. After 42 weeks, the placenta may not work as well, increasing the risk of stillbirth, larger babies (fetal macrosomia), and Cesarean birth.

• Placental abruption. This happens when the placenta separates from the uterus, which may reduce oxygen to your baby.

• Premature rupture of membranes (PROM). If your water breaks before labor starts, inducing may lower the risk of infection.

• Health conditions. Conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, preeclampsia, or heart and kidney problems may lead to early induction.

• Fetal growth concerns. If your little one is growing too slowly (fetal growth restriction) or you have low amniotic fluid (oligohydramnios), labor may need to be induced early.

• Infection. If there’s an infection in the uterus, inducing labor may help protect you and your baby.

Your healthcare provider will weigh the reasons to induce labor against the risks, ensuring that induction is the safest path forward for both you and your baby.

What Is an Elective Induction?

Elective induction of labor is when labor is scheduled without a medical need, often for convenience or to reduce risks in specific situations. This may be an option if you live far from a hospital or have a history of fast deliveries. Before proceeding, healthcare providers confirm that the pregnancy is at least 39 weeks to help ensure the baby’s health and development. In some cases, elective induction at 39 to 40 weeks may lower risks like stillbirth or high blood pressure during pregnancy.

Risks of Inducing Labor

While inducing labor may be beneficial, it’s important to understand the potential risks of induction. The labor induction process is normally done in a hospital, allowing for careful monitoring of you and your baby. In most cases, the benefits of induction outweigh the dangers of induced labor, but complications may occur.

Some disadvantages of induced labor include:

• Excessive contractions that may affect the baby’s heart rate.

• Umbilical cord problems that may limit oxygen to the baby.

• Increased risk of Cesarean birth if induction methods fail.

• Uterine rupture, though rare, may be a serious danger of induction.

• Infection or bleeding after delivery.

Your provider will carefully weigh the risks and benefits to determine the safest option for you and your baby.

Medical Ways of Inducing Labor

Healthcare providers use various induction methods based on how ready your cervix is for labor. If the cervix isn’t dilated or softened, it may need to be ripened first 

• Ripening the cervix. Healthcare providers might use medications or devices to help soften or thin out the cervix, which helps encourage contractions to start.

• Stripping the membranes to induce labor. To encourage the natural production of prostaglandins (which help ripen the cervix, bringing on contractions), healthcare providers might brush a finger over the membranes that connect the amniotic sac to the uterus wall. 

• Prostaglandins. Induction medications like misoprostol or dinoprostone soften the cervix through a pill or vaginal suppository.

• Balloon catheter. A small, inflated balloon applies pressure to help the cervix dilate.

• Administering oxytocin. A common labor-inducing drug is a synthetic version of the hormone oxytocin. It is administered intravenously to help induce labor and may also be used to speed up contractions.

• Amniotomy. A provider breaks the amniotic sac with a plastic hook to release fluid and start contractions.

Your provider will recommend the safest medicine to induce labor based on your specific situation.

What to Expect When Inducing Medically

The labor induction process varies based on the method your provider uses and how ready your cervix is. Before starting, your provider will check if your cervix is soft, thin, or dilated—a process known as “ripening.” If your cervix is hard and closed, the first step is to ripen the cervix to prepare for labor.

What happens when you get induced may depend on how your body responds. If your cervix is already starting to ripen, labor may begin more quickly. Otherwise, your provider may use medications or devices to help soften the cervix before starting contractions.

“How long does labor take when induced?” This may vary. In some cases, induction may take hours or even days, especially if the cervix needs time to prepare.

Understanding the steps for induction may help you feel more prepared for the process. Your healthcare

provider will guide you through each step, ensuring that the safest and most effective approach is used.

How to Prepare

Preparing for induced labor may help the process go more smoothly and ease any concerns. Start by discussing what happens when you get induced with your healthcare provider to better understand the steps and what to expect.

Here are a few tips to help you prepare for induction:

• Ask questions. Understanding the labor induction process is key. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) suggests asking questions like why induction is recommended, the methods that may be used, and how inducing labor works in your specific case. 

• Pack early. Bring essentials, including comfortable clothes and personal items. Since the time of labor may vary after being induced, plan for an extended stay. Don’t forget to check out our Hospital Bag Checklist!

• Rest up. A good night’s rest may help you feel ready for the induction.

Inducing Childbirth Naturally

If you’re wondering how to naturally induce labor, methods like sex or nipple stimulation are often mentioned, but there’s no solid evidence they work. It’s important not to take supplements or medications without your provider’s guidance, as this may be unsafe.

For safe natural induction methods, talk to your healthcare provider. They may offer advice and suggest ways to help your body prepare for labor, addressing any concerns you have about inducing childbirth naturally.

The Bottom Line

While induction carries some risks, healthcare providers carefully weigh the benefits to ensure the best outcome for you and your baby. If you're ever unsure or have questions, consult your healthcare provider to understand the process and what to expect.

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