Labor induction is a process that stimulates labor contractions and the delivery of a baby before it would naturally occur. Doctors will consider labor induction if the patient’s health or the baby’s health is at risk. All pregnant women should understand what labor induction involves and when it may be necessary. Below, we explore seven common medical reasons providers may perform a labor induction and the efficacy of each method.

It’s essential to note that induction is not necessary unless medically required, as discussed in collaboration with the patient and the provider. If you are currently pregnant and curious about your chances of induction, partner with your overseeing care team to begin the conversation.

What Is Induction of Labor?

Induction of labor is a medical practice that encourages and triggers labor to begin without waiting or stalling. There are a wide range of reasons providers explore this option with expecting parents, from health concerns to overdue gestation windows and everything in between.

The primary objective is to control the laboring process in the care and trust of the overseeing medical staff. This helps an expecting parent deliver their baby safely and divert any risks or harms. Typically, an induction will come to fruition when the health concerns exceed comfortable levels. Regardless of medical reasoning, the goal will always be a healthy mother and baby. In some cases, further examination and treatment may follow the induction.

Below, we will explore the seven medical reasons for labor induction and the benefits or risks associated with each one.

Maternal Health

A doctor may advise labor induction for the mother’s health and overall well-being. This could be due to preexisting conditions, such as high blood pressure, anemia, diabetes, or other chronic illnesses. Or if the mother tested positive for Group B Streptococcus during pregnancy, labor may be induced early to reduce the risk of infection.

Another common maternal health factor that leads to induction is preeclampsia or toxemia of pregnancy. This is a medical condition that develops in the late stages of pregnancy and presents with elevated protein levels in the mother’s urine. Inducing the pregnancy and delivering the baby can typically resolve this condition shortly after birth.

Fetal Health

Maternal health is not the only factor that could lead to a doctor recommending labor induction. If there are signs that the baby’s health is at risk, such as decreased fetal movements or abnormal heart rate patterns, labor induction may be necessary. Early induction will ensure the baby is safely delivered as soon as possible. A doctor may also recommend induction if they believe the baby’s growth will be jeopardized if labor doesn’t begin or if tests show the baby’s lungs aren’t sufficiently mature.

A fetal health concern can sound an alarm to all involved. Still, medical facilities have a better ability to care for the newborn after they’re delivered rather than administering care to the mother for the baby. When the unborn baby meets various health criteria, early delivery is typically the safest option.

Postterm Pregnancy

Labor induction may be necessary if a woman goes beyond her due date. After 42 weeks of pregnancy, the placenta can start to deteriorate, meaning it cannot function effectively. This can lead to oxygen deprivation and other health risks for the baby. If labor does not occur naturally by this point, then a provider may recommend labor induction and will discuss the most suitable methods with the patient.

Postterm pregnancy induction typically involves a membrane sweep of the amniotic membranes. A provider will use an index finger to gently sweep the thin amniotic sac away from the uterus to hopefully trigger the labor process. This is an old method of induction but still a very effective and common practice today.

Fetal Distress

If a baby becomes distressed in the womb, labor induction may be necessary to ensure the baby is delivered safely. If tests such as a fetal heart trace show signs of distress, or if the uterus has lost too much amniotic fluid, then labor induction may be necessary.

Providers can use an Amnicator swab test to detect lost or ruptured amniotic fluids in the mother. If the results come back positive, then the conversation supporting induction methods may begin. The membranes can rupture for a variety of reasons, but depending on gestation and severity, induction can resolve any potential health concerns.

Preterm Labor

Preterm labor is when a baby is born before 37 weeks gestation. It can lead to serious health complications for the baby, and in some cases, early delivery via labor induction may be the safer option. If tests suggest that there are signs of preterm labor, then a provider will likely recommend labor induction for safety reasons to resolve concerns.

Placental Abruption

Labor induction may be necessary if the placenta detaches from the uterus wall before delivery. This is known as placental abruption and can deprive the baby of oxygen, which can cause serious health risks. Labor induction can ensure delivery occurs quickly and safely and reduces the risk of harm to both the mother and baby.

Abnormal Fetal Presentation

Lastly, labor induction may be necessary if tests show the baby is not in the correct position for delivery. The doctor will check to see if the baby’s head is facing downward and not sideways or breech, as this can make a successful natural delivery difficult. If tests show the baby is in an abnormal presentation, then the doctor may recommend labor induction.

An abnormal fetal presentation is a relatively common struggle for many women and one of the top medical reasons providers might perform labor induction. Some unborn babies do not turn or rotate enough leading up to labor as the womb grows smaller and expecting parents begin nesting and slowing down.

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