by Danelle Karth

Created on: February 18, 2009

Over the past several years there has been a huge increase in the number of induced births. In fact, one out of every five births in America will be induced. This is for two major reasons, and one of those reasons should cause concern for many pregnant women and mothers everywhere.

Increased Technology.

One of the major reasons for an increase in the number of induced births is that technology has come a long way. It is easier for doctors to see problems or potential problems then ever before. With that in mind there is an increased number of induced births because of placental abruption (the placenta begins to pull away from the uterus), infections, premature rupture of the membranes (the water breaks without labor), the placenta is no longer effective, there is too little amniotic fluid, or that the baby is too big.

Any of these potential problems can cause a doctor concern and make it a wiser decision to induce labor rather then to allow the pregnancy to continue on. Other problems can be with the mother. While technology hasn't increased our accuracy or understanding of these conditions, more and more doctors feel comfortable inducing labor in these cases either.

It is often decided that the risks associated with induced labor are small compared to the risks from complications of the baby and the mother. While induced labor is often very long, painful, and difficult, many doctors continue to turn to it when it seems like the best option.

Increased Desire.

There is also an alarming number of inductions taking place because they are either elected by the patient or decided by the doctor as they get closer to the due date. These types of inductions should be a concern for pregnant women and mothers everywhere. While the risks associated with induced labor are relatively low, it is true that it is often difficult and horrible labor. Often times it leads women to get an epidural (even ones who didn't want them before) and some women also end up with Cesarean sections. How do these scheduled induced births come about?

First there is an increase in the number of parents asking to be induced. This lets labor fit into your schedule, makes it easier for those who live out of town, and can allow dad to take time off accordingly. Many doctors willingly allow elective induction even though labor can be and often is a lot harder when induced then when it come naturally.

In addition to the number of parents wishing to schedule when their child will arrive there are a number of doctors who like to have it scheduled as well. Many will offer inductions in the last week of pregnancy. Those that wait till the actual due date will usually schedule a time that works for mom and dad as well as them on their due date. It used to be standard practice to wait till full term was over, which is 14 days after the due date, but most won't wait that long anymore.

The biggest problem with the increased amount of induced births is that these women are going through very hard labor and dealing with difficult and painful situations that they probably wouldn't have to deal with otherwise. Many are forced into taking epidural shots they don't want because they can't other wise handle the pain and others are forced into Cesarean sections. With more and more inductions done for convenience rather then medical reasons, one has to wonder where will it end?

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