What To Expect from Induction of Labor

So, you’re nearing the end of your pregnancy hooray, and now your doctors are starting to talk about induction of labor. Is it time to panic? No way, mama, it’s all good.

Labor induction means your medical team will perform one or more steps to encourage uterine contractions. The goal of induction is for you to have a vaginal birth, and while inducing labor might not be high on everyone’s list of birth preferences, doctors will only suggest it if it’s the best thing for you and your baby’s health.

So what should you expect from the induction of labor? Here are the answers to the top questions about induced labor.

In this article: 📝

Why might labor be induced?

As an overview, induction will be suggested for the overall health and wellbeing of you and your baby. This might be due to various reasons, including:

• You’re two weeks overdue and labor is not happening spontaneously.
• Your baby is measuring small and may have fetal growth restriction.
• Your baby is measuring large and waiting any longer may mean vaginal birth is more problematic.
• Your waters have broken but your contractions have not started.
• Oligohydramnios — not enough amniotic fluid surrounds your baby. [1]
• Placental abruption — when your placenta partially or wholly separates from the uterine wall. [2]
• Various medical conditions — like gestational diabetes, kidney disease, or high blood pressure complications, like preeclampsia or dystocia
• Elective induction, for reasons such as living far away from a medical center or a history of very quick labors.

Inducing labor at 39 weeks or after comes with risks, as does any medical procedure, but may be the best course of action. It is generally not advised to induce labor before 39 weeks gestation, as it can increase the chance of your baby requiring more medical attention after birth. However, it’s important to discuss the risks and benefits to your specific pregnancy with your doctor.

What are the 4 methods of induction of labour?

If your care provider recommends induction, it doesn’t mean there’s just one way things can happen. There are a few different methods, and which one is used depends on things like how far along you are, whether your cervix has started to soften, and how you and baby are doing.

Here are the four most common methods:

Step 1: Ripen the cervix

Your doctors will use what's called the Bishop Scale to determine your cervix’s readiness for labor. If your Bishop Score is less than six (on a scale from 0-13), your cervix needs help to dilate and efface (thin out and soften). [4]

To help your cervix ripen, you may be given prostaglandin, which is a hormone-like compound that stimulates cervical softening. This can be given orally as a tablet, as a gel applied to your cervix directly, or as a tampon-like insert. Alternatively, your medical team might use a balloon catheter--a small tube with a balloon at the end, which is inserted vaginally. The balloon is inflated at your cervix to encourage dilation.

According to American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), this is often the first step if the cervix isn’t yet favorable for labor. [3]

These procedures are often given 12 - 24 hours to kick in before the next step of intervention is taken.

Step 2: Stripping the membranes

Your medical team might advise stripping, or “sweeping,” the membranes, which is when your doctor will insert a finger through the cervix to break the membranes connecting your amniotic sac and the uterine wall. This can only happen if the cervix is already partially dilated, and will usually trigger your body’s release of prostaglandin, which can stimulate your uterus to begin contractions.

Step 3: Amniotomy

An amniotomy is the name for a procedure where your water is broken manually. Your doctor will insert a long thin plastic instrument, which looks a bit like a crochet hook, into your vagina to gently tear the amniotic sac and break your water. Your water breaking will generally kick start contractions and the body’s natural urge to go into labor. This, too, can only be done if your cervix is already partially dilated. [5]

Step 4: Intravenous medication

If you have gone through all the previous steps (or your water has broken on its own) but contractions are not progressing, you will be given an intravenous drug called Pitocin. Pitocin is a synthetic form of oxytocin, which is the hormone that causes your uterus to contract. The amount of Pitocin you are given will increase until labor is well underway. [6]

Throughout all of these stages of labor, your and your baby’s heart rates and general wellbeing will be monitored closely, and you will likely stay at the hospital for the duration of your induction.

Is it painful to induce labor?

While some of the procedures, like catheter insertion or stripping the membranes, will probably feel pretty uncomfortable, they shouldn’t be painful.

Being given Pitocin can make your contractions more regular, more frequent, and stronger, so some people who have previously experienced a spontaneous vaginal birth may say induced labor is more painful. However, this is not always the case, so there’s no need to be fearful.

How to prepare for labor induction

When it comes to giving birth, knowledge is power. Making sure you have honest conversations with your medical team ahead of your induction can really help. Of course, even with induced labor, there are still many variables, so knowing what to expect and how the process might play out can help massively once you’re in the moment.

If you would like an epidural, or have another specific pain relief plan, make sure your doctor knows this, so they can have everything prepared for you.

Does induction cause longer labor?

Not necessarily. If your cervix is already dilated and your induction starts with having an amniotomy or Pitocin drip, you may be holding your newborn in just a few short hours.

Can you eat during induction?

Short answer: it depends — and yes, that’s frustrating. Traditionally, many hospitals restricted eating during labor because of concerns about anesthesia and aspiration risk. But newer research has started to challenge the idea that everyone needs to labor on an empty stomach.

People at low risk for complications may be allowed clear liquids during labor, and in some cases light food, depending on hospital policy and how labor is progressing. Clear liquids usually mean things like water, electrolyte drinks, broth, or clear juice. [7]

If you’re being induced, your ability to eat may depend on:

• Whether you’re likely to need a C-section
• Whether you’re receiving IV medications like Pitocin
• Your hospital’s specific policies
• How far along labor has progressed

The best move? Ask your care team early what’s allowed and what alternatives exist. Even if solid food isn’t on the table, staying hydrated and supported matters.

How long after being induced do you give birth?

If your labor induction starts at step one, it may take a few hours, or a couple of days, for you to deliver your baby. Even though inductions are planned, it doesn’t mean they all follow the same course.

And sometimes, induced labor (just like spontaneous labor) won’t progress as planned, or your or your baby’s condition changes, and a C-section is required. In this case, your stay in the hospital after the birth will probably be longer than if you had a vaginal birth.

No matter what happens with your induction, the good news is, you’ll be meeting your baby very soon! So be strong, mama. You got this!