What happens when you're induced?

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When you're induced, a midwife does a vaginal examination to assess the condition of your cervix. If it's closed, she'll insert a pessary or gel containing the hormone prostaglandin into the vagina, to soften your cervix and get contractions started. Be prepared for the process to take a few days to get going. It usually has to be repeated.

Once your cervix has started to open, the midwife can break your waters with something that looks like a crochet hook, it'll feel uncomfortable but shouldn't hurt.

Once this has been done, contractions should start. However, some women still need a syntocinon drip, a powerful hormone that makes the uterus contract. You and your baby need close monitoring, to make sure that everything is okay.

Recommendations are that women should be offered induction from seven days past their due date, initially in the form of a 'stretch and sweep' from your midwife. This is an internal examination where her gloved finger goes into your cervix and sweeps around the bag of membranes surrounding your baby.
Get your midwife to look again at your dates. The odd day's difference can be significant when you have a date to be induced!
Stimulating your nipples can encourage your body to release the hormone oxytocin, which may make your uterus contract and set off labour. But the truth is you'd probably need several hours of this a day.
Sex or masturbation: Prostaglandin in semen is a natural source of the hormone used in induction. When aroused, your body releases oxytocin, which can lead to labour.

Do I have to be induced?

Lots of women decline induction, in which case, it's recommended that, after 42 weeks, the baby's heartbeat is monitored at least twice a week, and the fluid around the baby should be measured by ultrasound scan.

The placenta, your baby's sole source of nutrition, will start to age and deteriorate at some point. So bear in mind when considering whether to have an induction that your baby may be better out than in.

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Inducing labour
What happens when you're induced?

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jyotirmayee behera, 12 days

m 37 weaks pregnent. i've a 2years old baby boy.my 1st baby is c-sec after 10month 6days.this time can i go for VBAC?if i'll go, how i'll increase my contactions. m really tensed.sum time m gatting depressed pls, advise me

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charlotte, 7 months

i was induced with my 2nd child and it couldnt of gone better after all the that worrying that i was going to be in labour hours or days 8 hours after being induced my babay boy arrivied its nener as bad as you think its going to be.

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