If you are pregnant, it is more than likely that from time to time you think about childbirth and feel doubts and fears about it. Something that on the other hand, is completely normal and it is a fear that you share with every pregnant woman. Giving birth is a unique moment in each case, even if you are not a first time and you think that you already know how it will be, surely each new birth will surprise you.
Each body is completely different, but in addition, the circumstances surrounding childbirth are so diverse that even women who have had several children say that each one was completely different. The body does not behave in the same way always, each woman has a different pain threshold and each pregnancy is therefore completely different.
Como there are as many types of childbirth as women who give birth, there are a number of myths surrounding pregnancy and childbirth. Myths that in some cases, can make you not enjoy the end of your pregnancy in the best way. Induced labor is one of the types of labor that generates the most doubts, because as we have already said, in each case it is completely different.
What is induced labor?
Induced labor is often said to be longer and much more painful, which may be partly true. Nevertheless, these annoyances each woman perceives them in a way. Therefore, try not to compare and enjoy the end of your pregnancy with an optimistic attitude towards the delivery of your child.
There are many causes why the specialist may recommend induced laborOnce it is decided that it is the best option, it will go through different phases:
Maturation of the cervix (cervix)
Before starting the induction of labor itself, it is necessary to achieve maturation of the cervix. Cervical ripening is necessary for the cervix to dilate and soften, in this way vaginal delivery is favored. For this, different techniques can be used, through medical maneuvers or through specific drugs for this purpose.
- Administering drugs: substances that accelerate dilation such as oxytocin or prostaglandin
- Using medical techniques: performing the vaginal examination, in some circumstances the Hamilton maneuver can be performed. This technique consists of detaching the membranes through a maneuver with the finger, the specialist performs a circular movement that favors the natural release of prostaglandin.
This process is slow, from the beginning until the cervix is fully mature, it may take between 12 and 24 hours. Women who go through this process have the feeling of being in an endless labor, when the reality is that at that moment, it has not yet started. For this reason, there is a tendency to think that induced labor is much slower than spontaneous labor, however, this process is not labor itself.
Induction to labor
Once full maturation of the cervix is achieved, labor induction will begin. At this time, the body is already prepared for the baby's arrival. As with cervical ripening, this process can be carried out in two ways:
- By administering drugs. In this case, oxytocin is used, because it is the hormone that causes the uterus to contract. Throughout this process, the baby's contraction and heartbeat rates are monitored.
- The amniotic sac ruptures. The rupture of the amniotic sac, together with oxytocin, favors dilation.
In which cases is labor induction recommended
For specialists to decide to induce labor, certain requirements need to be met. Especially, it has to be determined that the induction has less risk to the baby than letting labor occur naturally. Possible situations that lead to labor are:
- The fact that the sack breaks amniotic
- If the growth of the baby is interrupted, because it does not receive the necessary nutrients or oxygen
- In post-term pregnancies, or when past 40 weeks labor does not occur spontaneously
- If the expectant mother presents health problems associated with pregnancy, such as hypertension or gestational diabetes