Induction

In an induction, labor is artificially induced. This takes place in the hospital under the responsibility of the gynaecologist. If you have not given birth two weeks after the due date, speak of being 'overdue'. You are then 42 weeks pregnant. You can then go for an introduction, or before then the gynecologist can advise an introduction if it is expected that the situation of your baby outside the womb is more favorable than inside. This may be the case, for example, with prolonged rupture of membranes, growth retardation of the baby, pre-eclampsia or gestational diabetes.

Oxytocin

A delivery can be induced when the cervix is ​​slightly open and softened (= mature cervix). This often occurs at the end of pregnancy. By means of an internal examination, the gynecologist will assess whether you are induced. Depending on the 'ripeness' of your cervix, the membranes can be broken immediately or the cervix is ​​first stretched slightly with a balloon and thus made ready to break the membranes. After this you have to wait for spontaneous contractions, but often your uterus needs some hormones (oxytocin) that are given through an IV.

Childbirth

When starting the induction, the course is basically the same as for a spontaneous delivery. Most inductions go without complications and the risks of an induced labor are usually no greater than those of a normal delivery. However, there is a slightly higher chance of a prolonged delivery. Sometimes full dilation is not achieved and a caesarean section is necessary.

With natural childbirth, there is often a gradual build-up of contractions in frequency and strength. In an induced labour, the contractions are artificially induced and can therefore be experienced as more painful and intense. Sometimes the hormone infusion causes too many contractions to come too quickly in succession (hyperstimulation or contractions). If this takes a long time, oxygen deprivation can occur in the baby