Induced childbirth: when it is necessary and how it is carried out

Induced delivery is a medical procedure that serves to initiate contractions when labor does not start spontaneously but it is necessary to give birth to the child to protect the health of mother and child. It can be proposed when the pregnancy exceeds the expected deadline more than 1-2 weeks, in case of water rupture without contractions, high blood pressure, pathologies of pregnancy or fetal growth or signs of reduced fetal well-being. Induction can take place in different ways: - with hormonal drugs (prostaglandins), which soften and prepare the cervix; - with intravenous oxytocin, to stimulate contractions; - with artificial rupture of the membranes, to facilitate the initiation of labor; - with mechanical methods through the use of a balloon inserted inside the uterine cervix to promote dilatationThe entire process takes place in the hospital, with continuous monitoring and constant obstetric care. If the contractions were more intense than the spontaneous ones: in these cases it is possible to request epidural analgesia or other relief methods. Talk to the health and health team beforehand including this possibility in the birth plan helps to feel more prepared and involved in the decisions. Always ask to be explained to you reasons, times and alternatives: knowing what to expect helps you to experience even an induced birth with confidence.