Induction
Labor induction means starting (inducing) labor instead of waiting for labor to begin on its own. Your doctor will decide if an induction of labor is right for you.
Your doctor or clinic staff will call Natividad and arrange a time for you to arrive at the hospital for an evaluation and possible induction of labor.
Please note that sometimes a scheduled induction of labor may be delayed or postponed. This is because the Labor & Delivery Department must give priority to women with urgent medical needs.
The hospital staff will do their best to keep you informed if your induction is postponed or delayed. As soon as we are able to see you, we will call you to come to the hospital. Still, you should be prepared to be flexible.
If your induction should be postponed for 24 hours or more, we will schedule an appointment in our Prenatal Testing Unit to monitor you and your baby to be sure you are both doing well.
Induction Instructions
1. Call 2 hours prior to your scheduled appointment to ensure room and nurse availability
2. You may take a shower or bath prior to coming in for your appointment
3. You may eat a light meal prior to coming in for your appointment
4. Do not wear jewelry, or bring money or valuables with you to the hospital
5. You may bring visitors with you, but remember delivery will take 1 to 3 days
Once you are at the hospital, the team caring for you will review your pregnancy and medical records. Try to be patient if they are asking questions you have already answered. Sometimes double-checking is part of the safety process.
Checking Your Baby
Before beginning your induction, the team will examine you to check;
- Your baby’s heartbeat using a fetal monitor
- Your heart rate, blood pressure and temperature
- The position of baby inside your uterus
- The cervix to see how soft or if it is open
Starting and Progressing Labor
Using the information above, the team will decide which method will be used to start your labor.
Induction Options
- Pitocin by IV drip: This medicine is given to you through a tube put in your veins. This is a synthetic version of the natural hormone that causes contractions. It would be increased at slow intervals until you have strong contractions.
- Cytotec by mouth or vagina: This is a very tiny pill that can be taken by mouth or placed in your vagina and may cause contractions of your uterus.
- Foley bulb induction: This is a tube that is inserted into your vagina, then into your cervix (opening of the uterus), by the doctor and a balloon at the tip is inflated to open your cervix.
- Amniotomy (breaking the bag of water): This is done during a vaginal exam and involves making an opening in the amniotic sac with a thin plastic hook. (You may feel a gush of warm fluid once it opens but no pain). This may intensify your labor contractions and would allow internal monitoring of your baby’s heartbeat and the strength of the uterine contractions if necessary.