Why would I need to be induced?

Labor induction — also known as inducing labor — is the stimulation of uterine contractions during pregnancy before labor begins on its own to achieve a vaginal birth. Your health care provider might recommend inducing labor for various reasons, primarily when there's concern for a mother's health or a baby's health. For example:

• You're approaching two weeks beyond your due date, and labor hasn't started naturally (postterm pregnancy)
• Your water has broken, but labor hasn't begun (prelabor rupture of membranes)
• You have an infection in your uterus (chorioamnionitis)
• Your baby has stopped growing at the expected pace (fetal growth restriction)
• There's not enough amniotic fluid surrounding the baby (oligohydramnios)
• You have diabetes
• You have a high blood pressure disorder
• Your placenta peels away from the inner wall of the uterus before delivery — either partially or completely (placental abruption)
• You have a medical condition such as kidney disease or obesity