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TIPS for Avoiding Labor Induction!
- Jun 30, 2009 at 4:22 PM
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*Tips for Avoiding Labor Induction*
According to the World Health Organization, "No geographic region should
have rates of induced labor over 10%." However, in a recent study of
childbearing women in the United States, 41% of women reported that
their care providers attempted to induce labor, and 34% of labors were
actually induced. Letting labor begin on its own will help you to have a
safe and healthy birth. This list provides evidence-based tips for women
who want to avoid labor induction.
1. Recognize that, according to almost all experts, a normal
pregnancy lasts between 38 and 42 weeks. In your mind, add two
weeks to your due date in case your pregnancy lasts 42 weeks.
2. Understand that many researchers believe that it's the baby that
starts labor. Studies suggest that once the baby is fully mature
and ready for life outside the womb, he releases a substance that
tells the mother's body to start the process of labor. In most
cases, the best way to know that your baby is ready to be born is
to wait for labor to begin on its own.
3. Choose a care provider who induces labor only for medical reasons.
4. If you and your care provider are unsure of your due date,
consider having an ultrasound in the first trimester (13 weeks) of
pregnancy. First trimester ultrasound is more accurate at
estimating the correct due date than an ultrasound done later in
pregnancy.
5. Don't be induced without a medical reason. Be aware that a large
baby is not a medical reason for induction.According to experts,
including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists,
induction for suspected large babies does not improve outcomes for
babies and almost doubles the risk of a cesarean for mothers.
6. Stay active and exercise at least 30 minutes most days at a
moderate pace. Research indicates that healthy women who exercise
regularly throughout pregnancy are less likely to need to be
induced or have their labor speeded up.
7. Stay well-nourished and drink plenty of fl uids. If there's a
concern with the baby being overdue, tests (such as a biophysical
profi le and amniotic fl uid index) may be scheduled to evaluate
the baby. Several studies have found links between maternal
dehydration and poor results on these. If you are scheduled for
these tests, be sure to drink plenty of liquids and eat well in
the days before the tests.
8. Tell your care provider right away if you have any symptoms of
infection, especially foul-smelling
vaginal discharge or itching, so that you can be treated. Some
infections can be harmful to the baby and can cause your water to
break early, which may lead to the need for labor induction.
9. If your water breaks before labor begins, ask your care provider
to allow you time to go into labor on your own. Most women begin
labor soon after their water breaks, and 90% will be in labor
within 2 days of their water breaking. There's no need to rush
labor unless you or
your baby are in danger or there are signs of infection. Follow
your care provider's advice for reducing the possibility of
infection and ask him or her to do vaginal exams only when
medically necessary.
10. If labor induction is planned for non-emergency medical reasons or
because you are getting close to 42 weeks, discuss alternative
ways of inducing labor with your health care provider. To start
labor, research suggests the use of acupuncture, nipple
stimulation, and "sweeping the membranes," a procedure in which
the care provider uses her fi ngers gently to separate the bag of
waters from the cervix during an internal exam. Many have
suggested the use of sexual intercourse or castor oil to help
labor begin, but these methods haven't been studied in high
quality research.
*REFERENCES*
*Introductory paragraph*
World Health Organization. (1985). /WHO Consensus Conference on
Appropriate Technology for Birth/
Declercq, E. R., Sakala, C., Corry, M. P., & Applebaum, S. (2006)./
Listening to mothers II: Report of the second national U.S. survey of
women's childbearing experiences. /New York: Childbirth Connection.
*Tip #1 *
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). (2004).
ACOG practice bulletin #55 -- Management of postterm pregnancy.
/Obstetrics and Gynecology, 104/ (3), 639-646.
World Health Organization (WHO). (1996). /Care in normal birth: a
practical guide. Report of a Technical Working Group. /Geneva:
Reproductive Health and Research, WHO.
*Tip #2*
Condon, J., Pancharatnam, J., Faust, J., & Mendelson, C. (2004).
Surfactant protein secreted by the maturing mouse fetal lung acts as a
hormone that signals the initiation of parturition. /Proceedings of the
National Academy of Sciences of the USA (PNAS), 101/(14), 4978-4983.
Nathanielsz, P.W. (1994). A time to be born: implications of animal
studies in maternal-fetal medicine. /Birth, 21/ (3), 163-169.
*Tip #3*
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). (2005).
/Your pregnancy and birth /(page 115)/. /Washington, DC: ACOG.
World Health Organization (WHO). (1985). /WHO Consensus Conference on
Appropriate Technology for Birth. /
* *
*Tip #4*
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). (2009). ACOG
Practice bulletin #101: Untrasonography in pregnancy. /Obstetrics &
Gynecology, 113/(2, part 1), 451-461.
Bennett, K.A., Crane, J.M., O'Shea, P., Lacelle, J., Hutchens, D.,
Copel, J.A. (2004). First trimester ultrasound screening is effective in
reducing postterm labor induction rates: a randomized controlled trial.
/American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 190/(4), 1077-1081.
*Tip #5*
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). (2000).
/Evaluation of cesarean delivery. /Washington, DC: ACOG.
Sanchez-Ramos, L., Bernstein, S., & Kaunitz, A.M. (2002). Expectant
management versus labor induction for suspected fetal macrosomia: a
systematic review. /Obstetrics & Gynecology, 100/(5), 997-1002.
*Tip #6*
Clapp, J.F. (2002). /Exercising through your pregnancy. /Omaha, NE:
Addicus Books.
* *
*Tip #7 *
Sciscione, A.C., Costigan, K.A., & Johnson, T.R. (1997). Increase in
ambient temperature may explain decrease in amniotic fluid index.
/American Journal of Perinatology, 14/(5), 249-251.
Onyeije, C.I. & Divon, M.Y. (2001). The impact of maternal ketonuria on
fetal test results in the setting of postterm pregnancy. /American
Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 184/(4), 713-718.
*Tip #8 *
Ekwo, E.E., Gosselink, C.A., Woolson, R., & Moawad, A. (1993). Risks for
premature rupture of amniotic membranes. /International Journal of
Epidemiology, 22/(3), 495-503.
*Tip #9 *
Enkin, M., Keirse, M.J., Renfrew, M., & Neilson, J. (2000). /A guide to
effective care in pregnancy and childbirth./ 3rd ed. Oxford: Oxford
University Press.
Ekwo, E.E., Gosselink, C.A., Woolson, R., & Moawad, A. (1993). Risks for
premature rupture of amniotic membranes. /International Journal of
Epidemiology, 22/(3), 495-503.
* *
*Tip #10*
Smith, C.A., & Crowther, C.A. (2008). Acupuncture for induction of
labor. /Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews./
Kavanagh, J., Kelly, A.J., & Thomas, J. (2007). Breast stimulation for
cervical ripening and induction of labour. /Cochrane Database of
Systematic Reviews./
Boulvain, M., Stan, C., Irion, O., et al. (2004). Membrane sweeping for
induction of labour. /Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews./
Garry, D., Figueroa, R., Guillaume, J., & Cucco, V. (2000). Use of
castor oil in pregnancies at term. /Alternative Therapies in Health &
Medicine, 6/(1):77-79.
Kavanagh, J., Kelly, A.J., & Thomas, J. (2007). Sexual intercourse for
cervical ripening and induction of labour. /Cochrane Database of
Systematic Reviews.
*http://www.lamaze.org/ExpectantParents/PregnancyandBirthResources/MoreTipsandTools/InductionTips/tabid/255/Default.aspx*
/
According to the World Health Organization, "No geographic region should
have rates of induced labor over 10%." However, in a recent study of
childbearing women in the United States, 41% of women reported that
their care providers attempted to induce labor, and 34% of labors were
actually induced. Letting labor begin on its own will help you to have a
safe and healthy birth. This list provides evidence-based tips for women
who want to avoid labor induction.
1. Recognize that, according to almost all experts, a normal
pregnancy lasts between 38 and 42 weeks. In your mind, add two
weeks to your due date in case your pregnancy lasts 42 weeks.
2. Understand that many researchers believe that it's the baby that
starts labor. Studies suggest that once the baby is fully mature
and ready for life outside the womb, he releases a substance that
tells the mother's body to start the process of labor. In most
cases, the best way to know that your baby is ready to be born is
to wait for labor to begin on its own.
3. Choose a care provider who induces labor only for medical reasons.
4. If you and your care provider are unsure of your due date,
consider having an ultrasound in the first trimester (13 weeks) of
pregnancy. First trimester ultrasound is more accurate at
estimating the correct due date than an ultrasound done later in
pregnancy.
5. Don't be induced without a medical reason. Be aware that a large
baby is not a medical reason for induction.According to experts,
including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists,
induction for suspected large babies does not improve outcomes for
babies and almost doubles the risk of a cesarean for mothers.
6. Stay active and exercise at least 30 minutes most days at a
moderate pace. Research indicates that healthy women who exercise
regularly throughout pregnancy are less likely to need to be
induced or have their labor speeded up.
7. Stay well-nourished and drink plenty of fl uids. If there's a
concern with the baby being overdue, tests (such as a biophysical
profi le and amniotic fl uid index) may be scheduled to evaluate
the baby. Several studies have found links between maternal
dehydration and poor results on these. If you are scheduled for
these tests, be sure to drink plenty of liquids and eat well in
the days before the tests.
8. Tell your care provider right away if you have any symptoms of
infection, especially foul-smelling
vaginal discharge or itching, so that you can be treated. Some
infections can be harmful to the baby and can cause your water to
break early, which may lead to the need for labor induction.
9. If your water breaks before labor begins, ask your care provider
to allow you time to go into labor on your own. Most women begin
labor soon after their water breaks, and 90% will be in labor
within 2 days of their water breaking. There's no need to rush
labor unless you or
your baby are in danger or there are signs of infection. Follow
your care provider's advice for reducing the possibility of
infection and ask him or her to do vaginal exams only when
medically necessary.
10. If labor induction is planned for non-emergency medical reasons or
because you are getting close to 42 weeks, discuss alternative
ways of inducing labor with your health care provider. To start
labor, research suggests the use of acupuncture, nipple
stimulation, and "sweeping the membranes," a procedure in which
the care provider uses her fi ngers gently to separate the bag of
waters from the cervix during an internal exam. Many have
suggested the use of sexual intercourse or castor oil to help
labor begin, but these methods haven't been studied in high
quality research.
*REFERENCES*
*Introductory paragraph*
World Health Organization. (1985). /WHO Consensus Conference on
Appropriate Technology for Birth/
Declercq, E. R., Sakala, C., Corry, M. P., & Applebaum, S. (2006)./
Listening to mothers II: Report of the second national U.S. survey of
women's childbearing experiences. /New York: Childbirth Connection.
*Tip #1 *
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). (2004).
ACOG practice bulletin #55 -- Management of postterm pregnancy.
/Obstetrics and Gynecology, 104/ (3), 639-646.
World Health Organization (WHO). (1996). /Care in normal birth: a
practical guide. Report of a Technical Working Group. /Geneva:
Reproductive Health and Research, WHO.
*Tip #2*
Condon, J., Pancharatnam, J., Faust, J., & Mendelson, C. (2004).
Surfactant protein secreted by the maturing mouse fetal lung acts as a
hormone that signals the initiation of parturition. /Proceedings of the
National Academy of Sciences of the USA (PNAS), 101/(14), 4978-4983.
Nathanielsz, P.W. (1994). A time to be born: implications of animal
studies in maternal-fetal medicine. /Birth, 21/ (3), 163-169.
*Tip #3*
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). (2005).
/Your pregnancy and birth /(page 115)/. /Washington, DC: ACOG.
World Health Organization (WHO). (1985). /WHO Consensus Conference on
Appropriate Technology for Birth. /
* *
*Tip #4*
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). (2009). ACOG
Practice bulletin #101: Untrasonography in pregnancy. /Obstetrics &
Gynecology, 113/(2, part 1), 451-461.
Bennett, K.A., Crane, J.M., O'Shea, P., Lacelle, J., Hutchens, D.,
Copel, J.A. (2004). First trimester ultrasound screening is effective in
reducing postterm labor induction rates: a randomized controlled trial.
/American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 190/(4), 1077-1081.
*Tip #5*
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). (2000).
/Evaluation of cesarean delivery. /Washington, DC: ACOG.
Sanchez-Ramos, L., Bernstein, S., & Kaunitz, A.M. (2002). Expectant
management versus labor induction for suspected fetal macrosomia: a
systematic review. /Obstetrics & Gynecology, 100/(5), 997-1002.
*Tip #6*
Clapp, J.F. (2002). /Exercising through your pregnancy. /Omaha, NE:
Addicus Books.
* *
*Tip #7 *
Sciscione, A.C., Costigan, K.A., & Johnson, T.R. (1997). Increase in
ambient temperature may explain decrease in amniotic fluid index.
/American Journal of Perinatology, 14/(5), 249-251.
Onyeije, C.I. & Divon, M.Y. (2001). The impact of maternal ketonuria on
fetal test results in the setting of postterm pregnancy. /American
Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 184/(4), 713-718.
*Tip #8 *
Ekwo, E.E., Gosselink, C.A., Woolson, R., & Moawad, A. (1993). Risks for
premature rupture of amniotic membranes. /International Journal of
Epidemiology, 22/(3), 495-503.
*Tip #9 *
Enkin, M., Keirse, M.J., Renfrew, M., & Neilson, J. (2000). /A guide to
effective care in pregnancy and childbirth./ 3rd ed. Oxford: Oxford
University Press.
Ekwo, E.E., Gosselink, C.A., Woolson, R., & Moawad, A. (1993). Risks for
premature rupture of amniotic membranes. /International Journal of
Epidemiology, 22/(3), 495-503.
* *
*Tip #10*
Smith, C.A., & Crowther, C.A. (2008). Acupuncture for induction of
labor. /Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews./
Kavanagh, J., Kelly, A.J., & Thomas, J. (2007). Breast stimulation for
cervical ripening and induction of labour. /Cochrane Database of
Systematic Reviews./
Boulvain, M., Stan, C., Irion, O., et al. (2004). Membrane sweeping for
induction of labour. /Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews./
Garry, D., Figueroa, R., Guillaume, J., & Cucco, V. (2000). Use of
castor oil in pregnancies at term. /Alternative Therapies in Health &
Medicine, 6/(1):77-79.
Kavanagh, J., Kelly, A.J., & Thomas, J. (2007). Sexual intercourse for
cervical ripening and induction of labour. /Cochrane Database of
Systematic Reviews.
*http://www.lamaze.org/ExpectantParents/PregnancyandBirthResources/MoreTipsandTools/InductionTips/tabid/255/Default.aspx*
/
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