Induction
In a Nutshell
Induction refers to using medications and/or tools to start labor before it starts naturally on its own.
There are two kinds of induction:
- Medically-indicated induction - There is a medical reason that it would be better for baby to be born rather than waiting for baby to arrive on their own.
- Elective induction - There is not a medical reason to start labor, but you have chosen to be induced for other reasons (personal, scheduling, etc).
Like any other tool, there are benefits and risks to induction that may be unique for different people with different situations. Sometimes inductions are the safest option for you and/or your baby, however, sometimes inductions can be overused or used inappropriately. It is important to weigh the pros and cons for your specific situation.
Dig Deeper
As of 2019 in the United States, as many as 29.4% of labors are induced. This number has increased almost 20% since 1990!
Towards the end of pregnancy there are many ways the body signals that it is time for labor to begin. Some of these signals come from the uterus, some from your hormones, and some from your baby themselves. When these things start happening, your body begins preparing to start labor.
Options
Avoid Induction
If there are no medical reasons for my baby to arrive sooner, I would prefer to avoid induction of any kind. I would like to wait for my body and baby to be ready and trigger labor to start on its own.