If a baby does not start on the expected date, the first thing to do is to wait. From the 10th week. However, measures should be taken from the 10th day onwards so as not to endanger the health of the mother and the child.
There are several methods to stimulate labor activity. The use of prostaglandins or oxytocin can be used to induce labor. In addition, it is possible to place a balloon catheter, perform an ovulation or open the bladder.
If you do not want to take medication at first, you can also induce labor in a natural way. Hot baths, massages or relaxation exercises are possible. Exercise, sex, and certain foods and drinks can also start labor.
During pregnancy, expectant mothers usually worry about this, where and how you want to deliver your baby. However, if the baby is still days after the expected delivery date, these plans often have to be abandoned. After a certain period of time, doctors have to induce the birth to avoid complications.
When induction of labor is necessary, which methods come into question and how labor can be stimulated naturally, you can find out here.
1. Induction of labor occurs no later than 14 days after the due date
Mortality rate in case of late induction of labor
If the date of birth is getting closer and closer without anything changing, many expectant mothers are uncertain. And it is by no means rare to miss a due date. In about 35% of all pregnant women, the baby is born after the due date. However, there is no talk of a real temporal transfer until SSW 42+0. However, this occurs in only 0.6% of all pregnancies.
Women usually find this time very stressful. The hours and days drag on like chewing gum and the pregnancy discomforts do the rest. So they want nothing more than for the baby to finally be on its way.
On the one hand, an expectant mother can have the birth induced on request. However, after a period of about 10 to 14 days after the calculated date, this also becomes medically necessary. Due to the fact that the amount of amniotic fluid continues to decrease, the baby can no longer be supplied adequately. In addition necessary to induce a birth when the water has already broken, but 12 hours later labor has still not started.
As soon as the calculated due date has passed, the The health of the mother and baby is checked every two to three days, by connecting them to a CTG. If the values are good, you can wait a few more days.
A Individual birth report, where the doctors had to induce the birth, you can see here
2. Inducing a birth – these methods exist
Those who wish to have the birth induced or are forced to do so for medical reasons can usually choose between different methods. However, not all options are suitable for every woman and for every birth situation. Therefore, you should always seek individual advice from your midwife and/or doctor.
In the following we present the most common methods and their procedure a little more precise.
2.1. Insert a balloon catheter
When women not yet feel any contractions and the cervix has not yet opened, a balloon catheter can be helpful, to promote labor. To do this, the balloon catheter is inserted vaginally so that it presses on the cervix.
This pressure can promote labor and thus have a positive effect on the upcoming birth. Depending on the need, the Catheters remain in the mother-to-be’s body for up to 24 hours.
2.2. Administering an egg solution
Egg solution is another natural method of induction of labor that does not require the use of drugs. The procedure is basically very simple. The doctor penetrates the vagina with his finger to mechanically detach the amniotic sac from the cervix.
This Egg collection can be very painful, especially for first-time mothers, as the tissue is not yet pre-stretched. Learn more about this method here.
2.3. Use prostaglandins
Prostaglandins soften the cervix and promote contractions.
The hormone-like substance prostaglandin causes the cervix to soften and gradually open up. In this way, a birth can be advanced enormously. Prostaglandins are available in the form of gel, tablets and suppositories.
The method only works particularly well if the cervix itself is not yet ready for birth. However, since prostaglandins can be administered very individually, it is possible to adjust the dose to the appropriate situation. This is especially true for the tablets.
It is important that overstimulation does not occur, resulting in one contraction after another. In the worst case, this can lead to a ruptured uterus. The risk is especially high for women who have already had a cesarean section.
2.4. administer oxytocin via an infusion
When the If the cervix is already open a few centimeters, but the birth process is not progressing any further, the administration of oxytocin can be helpful. This hormone is administered via the vein so that it passes immediately into the bloodstream.
oxytocin triggers contractions of the uterus, so that contractions occur. The dose can be optimally adjusted via the drip.
The problem with this method is that the expectant mothers permanently attached to a drip so that movement is severely restricted.
2.5. Actively opening the amniotic sac
When the bladder is opened, the amniotic sac is pricked with a special bladder blaster.
Opening the bladder is a method that is only considered for very few women. The still closed amniotic sac is pricked with a small hook so that it bursts and the amniotic fluid drains away. From this moment on, labor usually starts on its own.
Since the birth process is set in motion very spontaneously, some factors must be in place in order not to endanger the health of the baby and the expectant mother. The cervix must be ripe and the head must already be perfectly positioned in the pelvis.
The disadvantages of this method are that the risk of infection increases and there is in the worst case can lead to a prolapse of the umbilical cord. If this occurs, only an emergency caesarean section can help.
3. To get the delivery going in a natural way
Hot baths have a relaxing effect and have a positive effect on the labor process.
In order to avoid the induction of birth by the doctor, expectant parents can already At home a few tips& Use tricks to actively get the birth going. These have no side effects, as they are merely simple home remedies.
The following possibilities exist to shorten the time until birth: