Health Tip: When Labor May Be Induced
August 26, 2009, 2:18 PM ET
• 1 min read
Aug. 27 -- (HealthDay News) -- Labor is induced in about 20 percent of U.S. pregnant women, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says.
Labor may be induced -- causing the woman's cervix to open in preparation for a vaginal birth -- if the health of the mother or baby is threatened, the ACOG says. Here are some possible reasons for labor induction:
If the woman is more than 42 weeks pregnant.If the woman has pregnancy-related high blood pressure.If the woman has a uterine infection.If the woman has a condition called placental abruption, where the placenta pulls away from the inner wall of the uterus. This may actually lead doctors to decide to deliver the baby by Cesarean section.If the woman's water breaks too early.