Prostaglandins are hormones produced in the body Thomas et al, Prostaglandins are used in inductions to encourage the cervix to soften, shorten and open, and the uterus to start to contract regularly Thomas et al, Contractions after vaginal prostaglandins have been inserted usually begin within a few hours, reaching a peak after five to six hours NICE, a.
They increase the likelihood of vaginal birth within 24 hours Thomas et al, Many hospitals may be happy for you to go home after the procedure if you are induced via a pessary, tablet or gel Sharp et al, They should let you know who to contact if you have any concerns NICE, Oxytocin is released naturally from the pituitary gland, stimulating the contraction of the uterus during labour NICE, a.
An artificial form can be swallowed, inserted into the vagina in the form of tablets or fed into a vein using an IV drip IQWiG, Along with other methods of induction, your midwife might ask to break your waters themselves.
This is called an artificial rupture of the membranes and its aim is to shorten your labour. Yet this should not be offered routinely as a primary method of induction on its own as there may be some risks such as infections NICE, a; Tommys Double balloon catheters can also be used to safely induce labour in pregnant women who have not had a previous caesarean section. A double balloon catheter is another way to try to help the cervix to soften and dilate.
If a double balloon catheter is used to induce your labour, the catheter is inserted so that one balloon is in your uterus and one is in your vagina. The balloons are slowly and alternately inflated with saline. The device is left in place for up to about 12 hours and removed if labour begins, the device comes out, the waters break, or the baby seems to be in distress NICE, Induced labour is likely to be more painful than spontaneous labour.
This can range from simple pain relief, such as distraction, aromatherapy, hypnotherapy, acupuncture, to an epidural NICE, Labour after induction may be more painful because a labour that starts spontaneously usually builds up gradually, giving you time to get used to each new sensation. You get used to the sensation because your body has the chance to release pain-relieving substances called endorphins. On the other hand, some women like induction because it enables them to have control over knowing roughly when their baby will be born.
Induction at or beyond term might lead to a reduced rate of caesarean section but a slightly higher rate of instrumental birth with forceps or ventouse. If your induction does not work, your midwife or doctor will discuss other options with you and support you.
Other options include another attempt to induce labour or having a caesarean section NICE, a. Your wellbeing should be considered and the wellbeing of your baby should be assessed using electronic fetal monitoring with your consent.
Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers: We also offer antenatal courses which are a great way to find out more about labour and life with a new baby. Information from NHS choices on being overdue and on induced labour. Find out more about NICE guidance on the induction of labour. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Kelly A, Tan B.
American Journal of Epidemiology. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Decker R. Will I be able to tell I am in labor? How long will labor last? One thing they all seem sure of, however, is that their baby will come - spontaneously - by their due date.
Where does this belief come from? Like, come on! And yet, I can easily convince myself I will be different. This clearly shows that when left to their own devices, first babies usually make their appearance after their estimated due date. Of course, when your baby arrives is not always dictated by spontaneous labor.
When taking into account all births, including those beginning with intervention such as cesarean section or induction, the most common week of pregnancy to give birth is the 39th week. So what does this mean for you? A premature birth is when a baby arrives before 37 weeks. This means how long they have been growing in the womb. It is calculated from the first day of your last period.
The words used to describe prematurity based on gestational age are:. When babies are born prematurely they are less developed than full term babies. Their gestational age is an indicator of what stage of development they have reached.
This, in turn, relates to what sort of medical support they will need. The health professionals and equipment needed to look after premature babies are usually located in the neonatal intensive care unit NICU of a hospital, or the special care nursery for babies who are a little stronger than those needing intensive care. It is hard to predict whether you will go into early labour, particularly if you are healthy. Most premature labours happen by themselves and are unexplained. The presence of certain germs in the urine even without signs of an infection seems to make premature labour more likely.
Treating the infection seems to reduce the risk of premature labour. Some women will have labour deliberately started early by their doctor because it is safer for the baby to be born than to remain in the womb. Some of the reasons are:. Remember, if any or all of these risks apply to you, you may still have a full term pregnancy.
And, if you have none of the risks, you may still have a premature labour. After 20 weeks of pregnancy, you may have a tight feeling in your womb. These contractions are called Braxton Hicks contractions also known as false contractions — they are your body preparing for giving birth, not the start of labour. If your pregnancy is your first, the feeling may be quite strong and even painful.
Late in pregnancy, it can be hard to tell Braxton Hicks contractions from the real start of labour. Look for these differences:. You may experience false labour before your real labour.
It tends to happen in late pregnancy, and more often affects women who have had a baby before. False labour contractions can be painful, so they may seem to be the real thing. However, they are usually short less than 45 seconds and irregular, and they cause discomfort in different places — such as your groin, your lower abdomen or your back. True labour contractions are usually regular and become longer and stronger. They cause pain that starts at the top of your womb and moves down to your pubic bone.
You can feel the pain in your lower back and pelvis too. If your waters break, or you start contractions before 37 weeks of pregnancy, call your midwife, doctor or hospital immediately at any time of day or night. You may also need help if you have any of the following symptoms. Other signs of labour can be that your baby stops moving, or moves less. If you experience any of these labour symptoms before 37 weeks, see a midwife or doctor as quickly as possible.
After you speak with your midwife or doctor, you will probably have to go to the hospital. Don't drive yourself. If no-one can drive you, call and ask for an ambulance. At the hospital, staff will check whether the neck of you womb cervix is shortening and opening, which indicates labour has started. They may test for infection.
0コメント