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Sometimes, a doctor or midwife might need to induce (bring about) labor. The decision to induce labor often is made when a woman is past her due date but labor has not yet begun or when there is concern about the baby or mother's health. Some specific reasons why labor might be induced include:
* A woman's water has broken (ruptured membranes), but labor has not begun on its own
* Infection inside the uterus
* Baby is growing too slowly
* Complications that arise when the mother's Rh factor is negative and her unborn baby's is positive
* Not enough amniotic fluid
* Complications, such as high blood pressure or preeclampsia
* Health problems in the mother, such as kidney disease or diabetes
The doctor or midwife can use medicines and other methods to open a pregnant woman's cervix, stimulate contractions, and prepare for vaginal birth. Inducing labor increases a woman's chance of cesarean delivery. So you will want to make sure with your doctor that the benefits of inducing labor outweigh the risks of continuing the pregnancy.
Source: Women's Health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Sometimes, a doctor or midwife might need to induce (bring about) labor. The decision to induce labor often is made when a woman is past her due date but labor has not yet begun or when there is concern about the baby or mother's health. Some specific reasons why labor might be induced include:
* A woman's water has broken (ruptured membranes), but labor has not begun on its own
* Infection inside the uterus
* Baby is growing too slowly
* Complications that arise when the mother's Rh factor is negative and her unborn baby's is positive
* Not enough amniotic fluid
* Complications, such as high blood pressure or preeclampsia
* Health problems in the mother, such as kidney disease or diabetes
The doctor or midwife can use medicines and other methods to open a pregnant woman's cervix, stimulate contractions, and prepare for vaginal birth. Inducing labor increases a woman's chance of cesarean delivery. So you will want to make sure with your doctor that the benefits of inducing labor outweigh the risks of continuing the pregnancy.
Source: Women's Health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
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Date Added: 2009-04-28 Views : 416