Artificial induction is the intervention performed by the physician or midwife to stimulate contractions instead of waiting for them to occur naturally, and it is usually done when there is a danger to the mother or fetus, or delay in labor beyond the expected due date.
If the pregnancy has complications and labor has not started, the doctor may recommend induction to avoid complications or stillbirth. Labor induction methods include:
- Medications to ripen and dilate the cervix.
- Intravenous oxytocin infusion to stimulate uterine contractions.
- Mechanical methods such as artificial rupture of membranes (amniotomy).