![]() Many women need 6-12 hours or more of Pitocin to enter active labor (when the cervix dilates at least a centimeter an hour). A quick response is more likely if you have had a baby before. Response time varies – some women start having mild contractions within a few hours of Pitocin being started. Pitocin is added to IV fluids and given through your IV in slowly increasing doses to cause contractions and hopefully make your labor start. Pitocin is a synthetic hormone, identical to the hormone oxytocin, which is made by your body and causes contractions. When your cervix is “ripe” or ready for labor, Pitocin may be used to bring on contractions. Your OB providers will discus these with you prior to breaking the bag of water. Like all medical inductions of labor, there are risks and benefits from inducing labor this way. This method is not always effective, and works best on women who are at least a few centimeters dilated and have had a baby before. Your baby must be low in the pelvis and the cervix must be open some for a provider to break the water. This procedure is done during a vaginal exam in the hospital. Also, induction of labor, like natural labor, almost always takes much longer if this is your first baby, so be prepared!Īmniotomy (breaking the bag of water) is sometimes recommended by clinicians to induce labor. Sometimes ripening your cervix requires a day or more when your body is not ready for labor. Your OB providers will decide whether to repeat the ripening agent or move on to Pitocin (see below). After the ripening agents have their effect, you will be re-evaluated. Depending on your response and condition, you may be sent home (with arrangements to return the following day) be admitted to the hospital for observation or begin labor after their use. You may be given one or more doses of these agents. If you are having contractions on your own, it may not be safe to use these medicines. Your baby is monitored for 1-12 hours after the use of the agents, depending on the method used. Often multiple doses over many hours are required to get the cervix ready for labor. They do this by causing cramping and contractions of the uterus. They hopefully cause the cervix to soften, shorten and begin to open. These “ripening agents” are easily inserted in the vagina or taken by mouth and work for 4-12 hours. Ripening agents: Several agents (Cytotec, Cervidil) can be used in the hospital or outpatient to help ready the cervix for labor in women whose cervix is long, closed or “unripe.” This is a great option for women who have previously had a Cesarean birth. ![]() It may be kept in for 12 hours or until it falls out. A balloon is inflated there, which helps to dilate your cervix. Remember, women often have several hours of cramping after sweeping the membranes, but then don’t go into real labor.Ĭervical Balloon: This non-medical option involves a small flexible catheter that is inserted into your cervix. However, it may be worth a try, as it is a minimally invasive method of trying to induce labor. Sweeping the membranes is only effective in a small number of women. This quick procedure can be uncomfortable and often there is some light vaginal spotting and cramping afterwards. This may stimulate contractions and hopefully labor in some women. “Sweeping the membranes” or “stripping the membranes": This procedure involves sweeping the exam finger around the lower edge of the bag of water (membranes) to gently separate the membranes from the edge of the cervix. There are some safe methods to encourage labor that you can discuss with your doctor, including: Be sure you understand why induction of labor is recommended and what the benefits and risks are in your case. Sometimes your clinician will recommend induction for other reasons, which she/he will discuss with you.
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