Stimulation of delivery - whether to be afraid of?

Stimulation of delivery - whether to be afraid of?
Labor

induction of labor If labor does not start on their own at the expected time, doctors can use special drugs to induce the onset of labor process. Induction of labor is used in cases where it is necessary to speed up the birth of any health problems for the mother or baby.

When the required induction of labor

Doctors use the induction of labor in cases where the wait for labor to start on their own, more dangerous than that encourage them artificially. Induction of labor may be necessary in the following cases:

With an expected start date of birth passed from one to two weeks. Typically, experts do not recommend to wait longer in order not to endanger the health of the child. After 41-42 weeks of pregnancy, the placenta can not deliver the baby enough nutrients, because of which increases the risk of various health problems and even death of the fetus;
Childbirth is not started after the water broke. In this case, stimulating labor that reduce the risk of infection, which can affect the uterus and the fetus. (However, if it happened much earlier 37 weeks of pregnancy, doctors may wait for some time to induction of labor);
Tests show that the placenta stopped functioning in the sac too little amniotic fluid or fetal development lags behind the norm;
In pregnant women developed preeclampsia - a serious violation that poses a risk to the health of mothers and restricts blood flow to the fetus;
The woman has chronic or acute disease - such as high blood pressure, diabetes and kidney disease - that threaten her health or the health of the child;
Stillbirth in the history of the patient.

Induction of labor can also be imposed if the woman lives very far from the hospital, and it is likely that she will not have time to receive the necessary medical care, if the birth will begin when she would be home. In such situations, the planned induction of labor is usually carried out not earlier than 39 weeks of pregnancy - by the time the baby's lungs will be ready to ensure that no problems to breathe the air; in some cases, the lungs develop early - if you can call the birth and 39 weeks of pregnancy, but not before 37 weeks.

Techniques induction of labor

Induction of labor by means of prostaglandins. Typically, if necessary to induce labor, the cervix but has not yet been opened, the patient is hospitalized and administered her vagina preparation containing prostaglandins. It promotes dilatation of the cervix, and in some cases severe enough to cause uterine contractions, that is no longer necessary in the application of oxytocin.
Foley catheter. Instead of using prostaglandins, the physician may introduce the catheter into the cervix at whose end there is a small inflatable ball. Then the ball begin to pump water, he presses on the cervix and stimulates the production of prostaglandins that cause the cervix dilates.
Department of membranes from the lower divisions of the uterus. The physician manually detaches the membranes to stimulate the secretion of prostaglandins. After the procedure, the patient is usually sent home, and labor, in most cases, begin a few days later. Many expectant mothers say that this procedure is unpleasant and even painful, but the discomfort passes quite quickly.
Autopsy of membranes. If the cervix has opened at least a couple of centimeters, the doctor can with the help of a special tool, which is inserted through the cervix to open the bag of waters. This procedure, which is called amniotomy, causes no more discomfort than a regular pelvic exam.

If the cervix is ready to leave, there is little likelihood that the opening of membranes will be enough to start labor. If it does not need an intravenous infusion of oxytocin. Doctors will do everything possible to ensure that the child was born within 12-24 hours after opening the membranes and waste waters, as after this period will greatly increase the risk of infection in the child.

Oxytocin is administered by intravenous infusion. Under the influence of this hormone in women begin contractions of the uterus; the dose can be changed depending on how the process is generic.

What can be dangerous induction of labor

Although in general the induction of labor is safe, it is associated with certain risks that may be more or less severe depending on the methods of induction of labor process and the status of the patient and the fetus. Oxytocin and prostaglandins in some cases, cause too frequent or exceptionally strong contractions - and then, and more can be dangerous for a child. In rare cases, these substances cause detachment of the placenta, and even rupture of the uterus. It is important to bear in mind that uterine rupture rarely occurs in women who have never done a cesarean or any other uterine surgery.

One of the commonly used prostaglandins - misoprostol Mifepristone and misoprostol for abortion: two components of a single method - Is associated with a relatively high incidence of uterine rupture in women who give birth naturally after cesarean Caesarean section: do not rush to go under the knife . Therefore, misoprostol is not currently used for induction of labor in patients who have scars on the uterus. Some experts believe that in these patients is not desirable to encourage childbirth and with the help of oxytocin.

Since the process of induction of labor may take quite some time, especially if it begins when the cervix is not yet completely opened, it can cause significant psychological stress the woman and her partner. If you fail to induce labor have to do a caesarean section, and this operation after a long labor or unsuccessful induction of labor often leads to complications than an elective caesarean section. However, induction of labor is prescribed only in cases where the doctor has full confidence in the fact that it is necessary.