Induction is a method of artificially or prematurely stimulating labour in a woman. Childbirth (also called labour, birth, partus or parturition) is the culmination of a Human Pregnancy or ^[1]

Common causes for induction include:

• The baby is believed to be getting too big.
• Postdate pregnancy, i. e. if the pregnancy has gone past the 42 week mark.
• Intrauterine fetal growth retardation (IUGR). Birth weight is the weight of a baby at its birth. It has direct links with the Gestational age at which the child was born and can be estimated
• There are health risks to the woman in continuing the pregnancy (e. g. she has pre-eclampsia). Pre-eclampsia (US preeclampsia) is a Medical condition where Hypertension arises in pregnancy ( Pregnancy-induced hypertension) in association
• Premature rupture of the membranes (PROM); this is when the membranes rupture, but labour does not start within a specific amount of time. Premature rupture of membranes ( PROM) is a condition which occurs in Pregnancy when the Amniotic sac ruptures more than an hour before the onset of ^[2]
• Premature termination of the pregnancy (abortion).
• Scheduling concerns.
• Fetal death in utero.

Contents 1 Methods of induction 2 Criticisms of induction 3 References 4 External links

Methods of induction

Methods of inducing labour include:

• "Membrane sweep", also known as membrane stripping, or "stretch and sweep" in Australia and the UK - during an internal examination, the midwife moves her finger around the cervix to stimulate and/or separate the membranes around the baby from the cervix. This causes a release of prostaglandins which can help to kick-start labour.
• Artificial rupture of the membranes (AROM or ARM) ("breaking the waters")
• Cervically-applied prostaglandin, such as dinoprostone (Cervidil) or misoprostol. The amniotic sac is the sac in which the Fetus develops Some sources consider it to be equivalent to the Amnion. A prostaglandin is any member of a group of Lipid compounds that are derived enzymatically from Fatty acids and have important functions in the Animal body In Medicine, dinoprostone, is a naturally occurring Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2 Misoprostol is a drug that is FDA -approved in the United States for the prevention of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug ( NSAID)-induced
• Intravenous administration of synthetic oxytocin preparations, such as Pitocin. Intravenous therapy or IV therapy is the giving of Liquid substances directly into a Vein. Oxytocin ( IPA: /ˌɔksɪˈtoʊsɪn/ (Greek "quick birth" is a Mammalian Hormone that also acts as a Neurotransmitter in the Oxytocin ( IPA: /ˌɔksɪˈtoʊsɪn/ (Greek "quick birth" is a Mammalian Hormone that also acts as a Neurotransmitter in the
• Natural Induction - Many midwives or other holistic providers practice "natural" induction, which may include use of herbs, castor oil or other agents to stimulate or advance a stalled labor. Induction is a method of artificially or prematurely stimulating labour in a pregnant woman The safety of such practices is undetermined. Women should not try to induce labor without talking with their physician or other healthcare provider, and certainly not before 37 weeks gestation.

If an induction causes complications during labor, a Caesarean section is almost always conducted. A Caesarean section (or Cesarean section in American English) also known as C-section, is a form of Childbirth in which a surgical An induction is most likely to result in successful vaginal delivery when a woman is close to or in the early stages of labor. Signs of pending labor may include softening of the cervix, dilation and increasing frequency or intensity of contractions.

Criticisms of induction

Induced labour tends to be more intense and painful for the woman, often leading to the increased use of analgesics and other pain-relieving pharmaceuticals (Vernon, 2005). This cascade of intervention has been shown to lead to an increased likelihood of caesarean section delivery for the baby. A Caesarean section (or Cesarean section in American English) also known as C-section, is a form of Childbirth in which a surgical (Roberts 2000). Inductions should only be undertaken for significant medical reasons, but some feel that doctors show increasing propensity toward induction simply for personal convenience or to relieve load on hospital facilities. "[Induction] enables doctors to practice daylight obstetrics," says Dr. Marsden Wagner, a neonatologist who served for 15 years as a director of women's and children's health in industrialized countries for the World Health Organization. "It means that as a doctor, I can come in at 9 a. m. , give you the pill, and by 6 p. m. I've delivered a baby and am home having dinner. " ^[3]

References

• Roberts, Tracy, Peat, 2000 Rates for obstetric intervention among private and public patients in Australia: population based descriptive study Christine L Roberts, Sally Tracy, Brian Peat, "British Medical Journal", v321:140 July 2000
• Vernon, David, Having a Great Birth in Australia, Australian College of Midwives, 2005, ISBN 0-9751674-3-X
• Goodman, David, "Forced Labor", Mother Jones

External links

• Family.doctor.org
• Harman & Kim. David Vernon (born 1965 in Canberra, Australia) is an Australian writer Having a Great Birth in Australia is the second book from Australian writer David Vernon. The Australian College of Midwives is the professional organisation representing midwives and Midwifery policy in Australia. David Goodman may refer to David Goodman (politician, member of the Ohio Senate David A "Current Trends in Cervical Ripening and Labor Induction" American Family Physician 1999; 60:477-84.
• Inducing Labor - WebMD.com
• Induction of labour. Clinical guideline, UK National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, June 2001.
• Josie L. Tenore: Methods for cervical ripening and induction of labor. American Family Physician, 15 May 2003.

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