The Mayo Clinic Diet Book, learn more

Free

E-newsletter

Subscribe to Housecall

Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.

Sign up now

Risks

By Mayo Clinic staff

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Illustration of uterine incisions used during C-sections Uterine incisions used during C-sections

Labor induction carries various risks, including:

  • The need for a C-section. Labor induction is more likely to result in the need for a C-section — particularly if you've never given birth before and your cervix hasn't already begun to thin, soften and dilate (unfavorable cervix).
  • Premature birth. Inducing labor too early might result in a premature birth. This poses risks for the baby, such as difficulty breathing.
  • Low heart rate. The medication used to induce labor — oxytocin or a prostaglandin — might provoke too many contractions, which can diminish your baby's oxygen supply and lower your baby's heart rate.
  • Infection. Labor induction increases the risk of infection for both mother and baby.
  • Umbilical cord problems. Labor induction increases the risk of the umbilical cord slipping into the vagina before delivery (umbilical cord prolapse), which might compress the cord and decrease the baby's oxygen supply.
  • Uterine rupture. Uterine rupture is a rare but serious complication in which the uterus tears open along the scar line from a prior C-section or major uterine surgery. An emergency C-section is needed to prevent life-threatening complications.
  • Bleeding after delivery. Labor induction increases the risk that your uterine muscles won't properly contract after you give birth (uterine atony), which can lead to serious bleeding after delivery.

Labor induction isn't appropriate for everyone. Labor induction might not be an option if:

  • You've had a prior C-section with a classical incision or major surgery on your uterus
  • The placenta is blocking your cervix (placenta previa)
  • Your baby is lying crosswise in the uterus (transverse fetal lie)
  • You have an active genital herpes infection
  • Your birth canal is too small to allow for a normal labor or birth

In addition, if you've had a prior C-section with a low transverse incision and have labor induced, you'll be closely monitored. If you've had a prior C-section or major uterine surgery and have labor induced, your health care provider will avoid certain medications to reduce the risk of uterine rupture.

How you prepare Why it's done
References
  1. Wing DA. Induction of labor. http://www.uptodate/com/home/index.html. Accessed March 30, 2011.
  2. What to expect after your due date. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp069.cfm. Accessed March 30, 2011.
  3. Tita ATN, et al. Timing of elective repeat cesarean delivery at term and neonatal outcomes. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2009;360:111.
  4. Wing DA. Induction of labor in women with prior cesarean delivery. http://www.uptodate/com/home/index.html. Accessed March 30, 2011.
  5. Clark SL, et al. Neonatal and maternal outcomes associated with elective term delivery. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2009;100:156.
  6. Wing DA. Techniques for cervical ripening prior to labor induction. http://www.uptodate/com/home/index.html. Accessed March 30, 2011.
  7. Labor induction. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp154.cfm. Accessed March 30, 2011.
  8. Battista LH, et al. Abnormal labor and induction of labor. In: Gabbe SG, et al. Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier Inc.; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06930-7..50015-3&isbn=978-0-443-06930-7&uniqId=243410035-2#4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06930-7..50015-3. Accessed May 11, 2011.
  9. Cunningham FG, et al. Williams Obstetrics. 23rd ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=6026579. Accessed May 11, 2011.
  10. Belogolovkin V, et al. Umbilical cord prolapse. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 11, 2011.
  11. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Induction of labor. ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 107. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2009;114:386.
  12. Healthy pregnancy. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/childbirth-beyond/labor-birth.cfm. Accessed May 11, 2011.
  13. Management of labor. Bloomington, Minn.: Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. http://www.icsi.org/labor/labor__management_of__full_version__2.html. Accessed May 12, 2011.
  14. Meconium aspiration syndrome. The Merck Manuals: Home Edition for Patients and Caregivers. http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/sec23/ch264/ch264i.html. Accessed May 12, 2011.
  15. Grotegut CA, et al. Oxytocin exposure during labor among women with postpartum hemorrhage secondary to uterine atony. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2011;204:56.e1.
  16. Thinking About Inducing Your Labor: A Guide for Pregnant Women. http://www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/index.cfm/search-for-guides-reviews-and-reports/?pageaction=displayproduct&productID=353#toc. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Accessed June 1, 2011.
  17. Berghella V. Cesarean delivery: Technique. http://www.uptodate/com/home/index.html. Accessed July 1, 2011.
MY00642 July 22, 2011

© 1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

  • Reprints
  • Print

  • Share on:

  • Email

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger