How Long Does It Take to Go Into Labor After Being Induced? Advantages (2024)

• Duration
  • Does labor start immediately after induction?
• Advantages of Induced Labor
  • Why is labor induced?
• What to Expect
  • What to expect when you are induced
  • Why induced labor is more painful?
• Disadvantages of Induced Labor
  • What are disadvantages and complications of induced labor?
• Comments
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The time it takes to go into labor after being induced varies and can take anywhere from a few hours to 2-3 days.

Does labor start immediately after induction?

Labor induction or inducing labor is the process of artificially initiating labor by stimulating uterine contractions before labor begins on its own or if it fails to begin spontaneously by the due date to achieve vagin*l delivery.

Different women have different speeds of progressing into labor. The time it takes to go into labor after being induceddepends on:

• Type of induction technique used and how the body responds to the treatment used to induce labor.
• Whether it’s the woman’s first time being pregnant (labor induction usually takes longer if this is the case).
• The gestational age (labor induction usually takes longer if the woman is less than 37 weeks pregnant).
• How ripe the cervix is when the induction begins (if the cervix needs time to ripen, it takes longer for labor to begin).

Induction of labor is usually elective (planned in advance); hence, the patients can discuss the pros, cons, and risks with the doctor. The benefits of induction of labor usually outweigh the risks. Induction of labor typically involves rupturing the membranes (breaking the waters) or administering medication to ripen the cervix and/or stimulate uterine contractions.

Why is labor induced?

Labor induction may be indicated in the following cases:

• Post-term pregnancy:If the process of labor hasn’t begun 2 weeks beyond the due date (usually over 39-41 weeks), the doctor may suggest inducing labor.
• Rupture of the membranes before labor:The membranes rupture (water breaks), but labor has not begun.
• Gestational diabetes: This is diabetes in the mother that develops during pregnancy.
• High blood pressure during pregnancy:This involves hypertension (high blood pressure) that develops during pregnancy.
• Chorioamnionitis:It is an infection of the uterus.
• Intrauterine fetal growth restriction (IUGR): The weight of the fetus is below average.
• Oligohydramnios: It is reduced amniotic fluid surrounding the baby.
• Placental abruption:The placenta detaches partially or completely from the inner uterinewall before delivery.
• Systemic medical conditions:Certain systemic medical conditions such as kidney disease or obesity.

Induction can also be induced electively without having any of the reasons above. This may be carried out if the pregnant woman is full-term and:

• Has a history of rapid vagin*l deliveries
• Lives far away from the hospital or medical center
• Has a placenta that is blocking the cervix (placenta previa)

What to expect when you are induced

Labor is a process that generally happens naturally in most women. However, it is estimated that 25% of women will need induction of their labor. Labor induction (also known as inducing labor) is stimulating the uterus by external means for faster childbirth through the vagin*. This procedure has been increasingly done since the year 1996.

There are various techniques to induce labor:

• Ripen your cervix: Medications called prostaglandins are usually placed inside the vagin* to cause thinning or ripening (softening) of the cervix. Prostaglandins are hormone-like substances that are naturally released by the body during labor. Another technique that may be used to ripen the cervix is filling a balloon catheter with saline and placing it in the cervix.
• Amniotomy: This involves rupturing the amniotic sac, also referred to as rupturing the membranes or breaking of water. A small opening in the amniotic sac is made using a surgical instrument resulting in the gushing of flush, also known as “water breaking.” An amniotomy is done only if the cervix is partially dilated and thinned.
• Intravenous medication: Medication such as the synthetic version of the hormone oxytocin is administered intravenously (IV). Oxytocin is a naturally occurring hormone in women that causes the uterus to contract. IV oxytocin augments labor that has already begun. Pitocin is the synthetic version of oxytocin.

The doctor can also use a combination of any of the above procedures to induce labor. They will monitor the number of contractions and the baby’s heart rate throughout the induction process.

Why induced labor is more painful?

Induced labor is usually more painful than natural labor because uterine contractions are quicker and much stronger. Hence, women may need an epidural (regional anesthesia) to manage pain.

Induction of labor is usually performed in a labor and delivery unit, with an operating room and resources available to perform an emergency cesarean delivery if necessary and induction fail.

If induction is successful, women may be able to give birth vagin*lly. Both fetal and maternal statuses are continuously monitored.

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What are disadvantages and complications of induced labor?

Some common risks that may be associated with the induction of labor include:

• Failed induction:About 25% of induced women may need cesarean delivery due to failed induction. Women who are pregnant for the first time have a higher risk of failure of induction.
• Infection:Some methods of induction of labor, such as rupturing the membranes (especially if there is prolonged membrane rupture), may increase the risk of infection in the mother and/or baby.
• Fetal distress: Medications used to induce labor can cause abnormal or excessive contractions, which reduce the baby's heart rate and oxygen supply resulting in fetal distress.
• Uterine rupture: It is a life-threatening complication in which the uterus ruptures the scar from previous surgery. Rarely, this may occurin women who have never had previous uterine surgery. An emergency cesarean delivery with or without a hysterectomy (uterus removal) is required.
• Postpartum hemorrhage:Labor induction increases the risk of uterine atony (the uterine muscles don’t contract properly) which can cause severe bleeding after delivery.

Women should avoid risky tacticssuch as consuming castor oil, exercising, or having sex to induce labor. Only a doctorcan decide the right candidates for whom labor can be induced with safe and evidence-based methods. Talk to your doctor, midwife, or healthcare provider for more information.

https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/induction-of-labor-at-39-weeks

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/induction-labour/

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000515.htm

Induction of Labor. Available at: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2500091-overview

Labor induction. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/labor-induction/about/pac-20385141