OB/GYN Explains Induction of Labor: Pros, Cons, and What You Need to Know

The Doctors Bjorkman, a board-certified OB/GYN and Pediatrician couple who are also new parents share what you need to know about labor induction, when it's indicated, the potential risks/benefits, and review of the ARRIVE Trial. They also share the decision they made for Sarah's pregnancy and their own baby.

We also got a lot of questions about the ARRIVE trial and risks/benefits seen in elective inductions of otherwise healthy pregnancy at 39 weeks. Because of this, we went back and added some more information about this from a prior version of this episode -- 11:30

0:00 Intro
1:27 What is an induction?
3:12 Why have an induction?
5:34 How an induction works
10:40 Elective inductions
11:30 The ARRIVE Trial
18:51 Pros & Cons
22:40 Our own 'In Real Life" decision

**Weekly pregnancy updates on Wednesdays! We will be covering everything from TTC, infertility, prenatal care, labor and delivery, best baby gear, your baby's week by week development, postpartum concerns, and other pregnancy tips and tricks!

Intro Music: A WAY FOR ME - Nicolai Heidlas by Chem Ocampo

Keywords: pregnancy update, the doctors bjorkman, third trimester pregnancy, pregnancy, obgyn, labor

[jaord]

I was induced at 38 wks due to babe having growth restriction. First pregnancy and VERY unfavorable cervix. Checked in at 5:30pm, did 4 doses of vaginal Cytotec overnight- each dose placed every 4 hrs. I got to sleep with Benadryl through the night so I rested as the cyto started to do it’s thing. By 12pm I got to 3cm and my body kicked into gear naturally- no Pitocin required 🙌. Got epidural at 7cm pitocin at level 3 for 3 hrs and out came babe at 11:34pm. It was a beautiful experience! I was a nervous wreck beforehand so I Just wanted to share my positive induction L&D experience 🎉❤!

[lauraspangler]

Was supposed to be induced at 39 weeks. Go to 37 week appt and blood pressure was through the roof so I was sent to Labor and Delivery to be induced that night and was SO scared because I have a huge fear of medical procedures or whatever with the vagina. I prayed for a miracle and 5 mins after being told how I’d be induced which I wasn’t looking forward to, I started having contractions and going into labor naturally! When they checked me I was 4 cm and was able to just get a very small dose of Pitocin which is what I was hoping! Thank you God! Now I have a beautiful 1 month old baby girl!

[ashleyspianoprogress]

This video was so helpful. I almost cancelled my induction the night before because I was scared, but then I watched this video. I have a perfect 8 week old boy now and the induction was great! ❤️

[jennifernurse]

I was induced 11 days overdue with the gel. I was 1 cm dilated, and only 25% effaced. I was told my cervix was very, very unfavorable, and not to expect anything to happen that night. After being sent home after an hour of observation, we didn't even make it the 20 mins to get home before I was moaning in excruciating pain and turned around to go back to the hospital. They had me in triage waiting for the doctor to come back from a c-section to check me again but stated it was probably the gel overstimulating my cervix and they were most likely going to flush it out. No one thought I was in active labor. I begged for pain management but said I couldn't get anything till I was checked by the doctor and in a room. Doctor was still doing the c-section so I had to wait. Well, after about 45 mins a nurse comes and takes me from triage without the doctor checking me and brings me to a delivery room. I had baby within 10 mins of being in that delivery room with the doctor showing up only 5 minutes prior to delivery. From the gel being administered to having baby, unmedicated, it was a total of 3 hrs.

[amosiren]

Just my advice: if you start the induction process, are on Pitocin, and get to the point your OB has to break your water, I would give up on any "natural birth" ideas you ever have and get that epidural ASAP! Pitocin contractions and natural contractions ARE NOT THE SAME THING! Also, do not let them put your IV in your dominant hand- very important. If the nurse can't find a vein in your non dominant hand- tell them cool, please go find someone else better than you. You don't know how long the process will be after induction, and do you want to spend 2 days wiping yourself with your IV hand? No it's gross and annoying!

[kesamber]

I had an induction at 40+1 because my belly was SO big on my petite frame that I was having to sleep upright (and even then would often wake up projetile vomiting) and I had trouble eating or drinking anything.
It was SO empowering to know that I would only have to survive one more awful night in order to finally see my baby. Even though the petocin was awful, I was smiling after every contraction because I knew he would be born that day and the suffering would end.
Thank you for this video - it helps me to not have guilt about it!

[StardustMoneybags]

My Dr. told me my baby was very comfy in my tummy and if I didn’t go into labor I would be induced at 39/40 weeks with a set day. I checked into the hospital and was induced for 3 days different methods until my water broke. I did not want a c section. ❤ I had a natural birth with an epidural of course 😹 only half of my body was numb from the epidural so I felt the entire birth, make sure your turn on each side evenly your nurse will explain 😹🫶🏻🌹💋 all worth it. Hearing her cry and feeling her on my chest was the best feeling ever. My baby girl is a healthy beautiful 8 year old now ❤️ just remember “you are woman, you are strong, you are a Goddess and giving birth is magical.”

[Maiyaac]

I was having incredibly painful regular contractions for 12 hours at 38 weeks but was stuck at 3cm so I asked to be induced and it was the best decision ever because that’s when i finally started to dilate!!

[rachelmeinburg]

I’m so grateful for this video! I’m being induced tomorrow! As a science teacher, I loved hearing about the ARRIVE trial which put my mind more at ease than before watching your video. Thank you for this, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect for me!

[nbourhood]

I thought I’d share my story as someone who had an unfavorable cervix but had to be induced at 38+2 due to gestational hypertension. I started at 1cm and after 6 doses of Cytotec in 24 hours, I had only progressed to a 1.5cm with a still very firm and high cervix. I was having regular contractions the entire 24 hours. OB gave me the option to go home if I wanted too and try again the following week but we would have to be monitoring my BP every couple of hours and running Pre-E labs every other day or I could stay and keep trying but if I continued to not progress, there was a possibly I would end up having a cesarean as it could put too much stress on the baby. I decided to stay but asked if we could try a different medication. They inserted Cervidil and I instantly felt a shift in my contractions. At the 6 hour mark, I had my bloody show and felt very optimistic. At the 12 hour mark, they did a cervical check and I was 5cm dilated. They broke my water and I decided to get an epidural to allow my body to relax and progress as I had been in labor for 36 hours at this point. Pitocin was started shortly after. Within 2 hours, I went from 5cm to 10cm. Did one practice push and had to labor down because my doctor was still on his way and nurses were scared I’d push him out before he arrived. Baby’s heart rate began to drop and before I knew it, baby was out in 3 pushes. Had a 1st degree tear that required only 2 stitches. Although it was not the labor I imagined at all, I am so glad it did not end in a cesarean and I was able to deliver vaginally.

[tiffanykorb]

My induction started last night, they just broke my water, hope baby boy comes soon now 🙏🏼

[pachiadimalanta]

Thank you for this! Nurse and FTM, being medically induced in a few days. Trying to use my nursing brain to be analytical to prep for this before all the emotions take over 😅 so this video has been so very helpful! 🤞🫶

[sophiab.]

Ftm here, I'm being induced tomorrow morning. I'll be 40w4d, very nervous but so incredibly excited to meet our baby boy.❤

[justicedales]

I'm getting an elective inducement at 39 weeks. On the 21st so excited
This is baby number two for me
And I feel so much better having it planned. I'm so happy I watched this video. It made me feel so much better about my decision! Thank you for making this video!

[caseysaltzburg]

Getting induced on Tuesday at 41+2. Very anxious about it, but so glad to see this video! Thank you!

[baileygillespie]

Great episode guys!! I have been worried about having to be induced, I’m at 39 weeks today. So I’m being patient as I can, but I heard it makes it much more painful... Thank you for asking the questions to each other! Love having momma Bjorkman answer ❤

[andreaal-karawi]

I was scared to be induced. I had to be induced in 40weeks. I had a little water left. It was at the borderline - 5cm. I watched videos about being induced. yes, kind of scary. But truthfully for me it was easy. I came to the hospital 2.5cm dialated and when being induced after 2 hours I was 6cm dialated. The progress for fast for me. Contractions do get stronger, it went from feeling pain 2-3 to a 7-8 fast and there are no breaks between, I had like 30 seconds break. I wanted an epidural so I got it. I was more scared to get an epidural but it was easy. The labor was fast for me. Everything from going to the hospital and delivering my baby was 9hours. This was my first baby.

[markeisharobinson]

I’d love to see a video on cholestasis! I feel like not enough providers talk about this issue and it’s becoming more common. Thank you for what you do!! 😊

[marceldeac]

almost 8 months pregnant and a bit freaked out, thank you so much for this video, valuable info shared
you guys are a a blessing 👼🏻
Hugs from NYC 🙏❤️

[jocelynb]

Thank you for this video! My husband is starting a new job that will keep him traveling and I'm 32+1 typing this. I've been chewing on the idea of scheduling an induction for the sake of planning when my husband will be home. This helps me feel like it might be a better option than I had an impression of 😊