In some cases, your health care provider may want to induce labor, or stimulate contractions, to encourage the birth of your baby. The goal is to induce labor for a vaginal birth.
If you're approaching two weeks past your due date, your doctor will likely talk about inducing you. Your doctor may also suggest induction for health reasons that require your baby to be delivered sooner to avoid complications. These include:
Some women may also elect to be induced. If you live far away from the birthing center or have a history of delivering quickly, your doctor may agree to induce you. However, you must be at least 39 weeks along to reduce any risks to your baby.
Depending on your circumstances, there are a few ways your doctor can induce labor:
Other risks are the same as those for a vaginal delivery, but your chances of experiencing these complications are slightly higher with induction. You may have a higher risk of infection the longer your membranes are ruptured. Excess bleeding after delivery is another possible complication.
You can still follow your birth plan in many ways with music, mood, relaxation techniques, and support people. Just know that things may not always go as planned. Contractions, when you're induced, can be stronger and more painful than without induction. Talk to your health care provider about this if you're considering delivering without pain medication.
Induction is a little bit of "wait and see." Your health care provider may try one technique to stimulate contractions and then try another. Once labor begins, you will move through the stages of labor as in any delivery. Your contractions will get stronger and closer together. This process can be faster and more intense when you're induced.
Your care team will closely monitor you and your baby to determine whether a C-section or any other interventions are necessary to care for both you and your baby.
At Magee, we deliver nearly 9,000 babies a year. Our birthing center offers family-friendly rooms. In a normal, healthy delivery, your baby stays with you, and we have a sleep space for your partner or significant other. You have access to lactation consultants and other experts to help you through all steps of recovery and caring for your new baby.
To find out more about delivering at Magee, call 1-866-MyMagee (696-2433) to speak with a member of our staff.
Your health information, right at your fingertips. Select MyUPMC to access your UPMC health information. For patients of UPMC-affiliated doctors in Central Pa, select UPMC Central Pa Portal. Patients of UPMC Cole should select the UPMC Cole Connect Patient Portal.
The portal for all UPMC patients EXCEPT those in Central Pa.
The portal for UPMC patients in Central Pa.
The portal for UPMC Cole patients receiving inpatient care.
