What is induction? It’s talked about a lot, but we don’t often hear what it actually involves.
I remember people telling me… “The don’t let you go past 41 weeks“, “You’ll have to be induced” and so on, neither or which are true, but that’s a story for another day! I heard a lot of comments about induction but I didn’t really know what it involved, or what it really meant.
Even when I was heading in to my appointment I still wasn’t 100% sure.
Different options are available in different areas, and different hospitals have their preferred method, so do ask your doctor or midwife beforehand, but here’s a very brief overview.
What is induction? Why is it offered?
Sometimes called induction, or induction of labour, induction of labor, IOL etc. Induction is a way of kick starting your labour using artificial methods.
It is usually offered when labour has not started naturally for you beyond a certain point (variable by area, e.g. 41weeks, 40weeks +10 days, or 42weeks, for example) or there are medical concerns or circumstances that might prompt induction as the safest option for you and/or baby, there are other reasons parents may choose induction too, including mental health reasons, or past pregnancy and birth experiences.
What does it involve?
Different hospitals may offer to kick start induction in different ways.
Membrane Sweep – we often forget this is part of induction, but it’s aim is to start labour, so it should be included.
Ripening the Cervix – some areas will offer what is known as Prostaglandin tablet or Gel, also called the Pessary. This is like a tiny tampon that is inserted, releasing hormones that helps to soften the cervix and in turn start labour. Some areas use different versions of this such as a suppository, do ask your doctor or midwife what the usual options are for your area/hospital beforehand.
Mechanical Options – some areas will use a balloon, a Foley catheter, or double (Cook) balloon to encourage the cervix to open, these are filled with fluid and put pressure on the cervix to encourage dilation. You may be offered rods / Dilapan-S – small robs which absorbs fluid and increases in size.
Breaking your Waters – a common part of induction, if yometu are already dilated sometimes this is the first step. It involves breaking the amniotic sac (breaking the waters) to try and stimulate natural labour.
The Drip – You may hear or read people talk about The Drip / Pitocin®/ Syntocinon®, the artificial version of Oxytocin that is given to you through an IV drip.
You may not need every step here, some may be partly dilated and only have their waters broken encouraging labour to start, others may need the full suite of options.
Other things to note…
The likelihood of needing continuous monitoring with induction this is high, so having an awareness that you may not be as mobile will allow you to plan ahead for ways to make you feel more comfortable. Whichever you are presented with, be sure to work through the benefits, risks and alternatives for you and baby. It will make you feel more in control and give an understanding of the process.
All parents should leave their birthing experience knowing they made the right choices for them, they were involved in the choices around their birth and should understand the processes they went through. It is so easy when in the midst of something such as labour to be told by others what to do because, ‘They are the professionals’. Whilst that knowledge is so important, it does not mean parents’ have no control or say in her birth.
Whether you know this is going to happen or just want to be in the know, you can play a huge part in your experience.
I encourage you to ask all the questions you have before going for an induction so you can be as prepared as you possibly can be.