What is elective induction

Before inducing labor: Your healthcare provider must confirm that you have not previously had a cesarean delivery C-section or major surgery on your uterus. Your healthcare provider must be certain of your due date to prevent starting labor too early, before your baby is fully developed. You must be at least 39 weeks along in your pregnancy. Your cervix must be soft and ready to open dilate. A Bishop Score of at least 10 for first-time moms 8 for others is a common threshold.

With this score, the likelihood of having a vaginal delivery after induction is similar to that of spontaneous labor. See the graphs below to see how Bishop Score relates to length of labor and C-section rate. Your baby is 2 to 3 times more likely to be admitted to intensive care. This will mean a longer and more difficult hospital stay for your baby. It may also make it harder for the two of you to breastfeed or bond.

Your baby may have trouble breathing and need to be connected to a breathing machine ventilator to help her breathe. Your baby may have trouble maintaining body temperature and need to spend time in a warming area incubator to keep her body temperature stable. Intermountain Healthcare providers follow evidence-based care process models developed from guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to assess these conditions carefully and provide the mother with medical information to allow her to make decisions about her care.

See more providers. Location Type Locations Nearby. View All. For example, it might not be an option if you have had a prior C-section with a classical incision or major uterine surgery, your placenta is blocking your cervix placenta previa , or your baby is lying buttocks first breech or sideways transverse lie in your uterus.

Inducing labor is a serious decision. Work with your health care provider to make the best choice for you and your baby. There is a problem with information submitted for this request.

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This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. Healthy Lifestyle Labor and delivery, postpartum care. Products and services. Inducing labor: When to wait, when to induce Considering inducing labor? By Mayo Clinic Staff. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information.

Please try again. Inducing labor before you are at least 39 weeks along in your pregnancy or before your cervix is ready has risks. Your health care provider will follow the guidelines described here to help determine if and when elective labor induction is safe for you and your baby.

This is the date that your baby is expected to be full-term. Your due date is based on information about your last menstrual period, results from various lab tests and the size of your baby based on early ultrasound. The following guidelines are based on advice from this organization. Your health care provider uses these guidelines to make a safe decision about whether or not an elective induction is right for you and your baby. Before Inducing Labor Your health care provider must confirm that you have not previously had a cesarean delivery or major surgery on your uterus.

Your health care provider must be certain of your due date to prevent starting labor too early, before your baby is fully developed. You must be at least 39 weeks along in your pregnancy.

Your cervix must be soft and ready to open dilated. A Bishop Score of at least 10 for first time moms 8 for others is a common threshold. With this score, the likelihood of having a vaginal delivery after induction is similar to that of spontaneous labor.