How can you induce a woman to go into labor, and why would a doctor induce someone instead of just letting them give birth whenever it happens naturally?

Question

How can you induce a woman to go into labor, and why would a doctor induce someone instead of just letting them give birth whenever it happens naturally?

In: Biology

Answer 1

Doctors give drugs (often pictocin but im sure there’s other options) it speeds up the uterine contractions and dilation of the cervix for the baby to pass through.

Inductions are done for many reasons. The baby is more than 2 weeks late. (The bulk of the birth weight is put on in the final weeks. Waiting too long increases the potential the baby will be too big or mom too small. Increasing the risks/rates of vaginal tears or emergency c sections)

Water broke more than 24 hours ago (increasing risk of infection)

Birthing stalled out and hasn’t continued to progress.

Then there’s more superficial reasons like but I want my baby to have THIS birthrate! Or I’ve worked a 15 hour shift and this baby is coming because I’m going home.