Induction and augmentation of labor can be done when the benefits outweigh continuing the pregnancy. Induction requires no contraindications and an assessment of cervical readiness. Common induction methods include prostaglandins like misoprostol or dinoprostone for cervical ripening, and oxytocin infusion to stimulate contractions. Risks include failed induction requiring C-section, uterine hyperstimulation, and fetal distress. Oxytocin must be carefully titrated to achieve effective contractions without overstimulation.

1. Induction and augmentation of Labor
1
 General
Induction is indicated when the benefits to either
the mother or the fetus out weighs those of
continuing the pregnancy.
Induction is associated with increased
complications as compared to spontaneous labor.

2. Definition
2
Induction – Induction of labor is the artificial
stimulation of uterine contractions before the
spontaneous onset of true labor at 28 or more
weeks of gestation to achieve vaginal delivery.
Augmentations
- Augmentation of labor is stimulation of the uterus
to increase its frequency, duration and/or strength
of spontaneously initiated labor.

3. Prerequisites
3
− Valid indication
− No contraindication
− Elective induction (Assess Bishop Score & fetal
lung maturity )

4. EVALUATION BEFORE
INDUCTION
OF LABOR
4

5. ACCEPTED INDICATIONS
FOR
LABOR INDUCTION
ACCEPTED ABSOLUTE
CONTRAINDICATIONS
5

6. Indications
6
Common indications
1. Post term pregnancy
2. Diabetes mellitus
3. RH iso immunization
4. Preeclampsia, eclampsia
5. PROM
6. Chronic hypertension
7. IUFD
8. Placental insufficiency
9. IUFD
10. APH secondary to AP

7. Contraindications
7
 Cephalo pelvic disproportion
 Placenta previa grade III, IV
 Scared uterus e.g. myomectomy classic c/s
 Transverse lie
 Breech presentation
 Grand multiparty
 Over distended uterus
 Multiple pregnancy
 Prematurity

8. Pre induction cervical Ripening
8
 Success of induction of labor is related to the
condition of the cervix at the start of induction.
 Cervical ripening is a process that culminates in
physical softening and elasticity of the cervix.
 Quantifiable method of assessment of cervical
ripening is using bishop’s score

9. 9

10. MODIFIED BISHOP
SCORE
METHODS OF
CERVICAL RIPENING
10

11. Methods of cervical ripening
11
1. Pharmacological Techniques
Prostaglandin E2
PGE2 Gel (dinoprostone)
 Used widely for cervical ripening
 Causes dissolution of collagen bundles and increase
in sub mucosal water content
 PG induced cervical ripening often includes initiation
of labor.
 Low dose PG
 Increases chance of successful induction
 Decreases incidence of prolonged labor
 Reduces total and maximum oxytocin dose –

12. Contd …
12
 Preparation
 Interacervical (0.3 – 0.5mg)
 Interavaginal (3 – 5mg)
 Dinoprostone vaginal insert (cervidil) 10mg.
provides slower release 0.3mg/hr
 One advantage of the insert is it can be removed in
case of Hyper stimulation.

13. Contd …
13
 Administration
 Administer at or near labor ward
 The woman remains recumbent for at least 30
minutes
 Observe the patient from 30min to 2hrs
 Monitor FHB and contraction
 If no contraction transfer or discharge the patient .
 Discontinue PG and begin oxytocin infusion if
 Membranes rupture
 Cervical ripening has been achieved
 Labor has started
 Or 12 hours has passed

14. Contd …
14
 Side effects
 Hyper stimulation > 6 cont. 10min
 Fever
 Vomiting
 Diarrhea
 Precaution should be taken when using it in patients
with
 Glaucoma
 B-Asthma
 Hepatic or renal failure

15. Contd …
15
Prostaglandin E1(misoprostol)
 Available as 100ug tab for prevention of peptic ulcer
 Less expensive from dinoprostone
 Intra vaginal administration of 25ug not more
frequent than every 3-6hrs is effective in women with
unfavorable cervix

16. Contd …
16
2. Mechanical techniques
1.Foley catheter
1. Inflation of the balloon
2. Inflation of the balloon with extra amniotic saline
infusion.
This results in:-
• Rapid improvement of bishops score and shorter
labor

17. Contd ….
17
2. Hygroscopic cervical Dilators (Laminaria)
 Osmotic cervical dilators
 Improve cervical status rapidly
 Low cost
 Ease of placement
 Can be removed quickly

18. Contd ……
18
3. Membrane Stripping
 Commonly practiced
 Increased PG synthesis occurs after stripping the
membrane

19. Induction procedures
19
1. Amniotomy. (Artificial Rupture of
Membranes)
 Also referred as surgical induction
 Is a recommended practice in both induction and
augmentation.
 Prerequisites:-
− Appropriate indication
− Engaged fetal head (relative)
− No contraindications such as cord presentation, vasa
previa
− No fetal distress (unless immediate vaginal delivery
is possible)
 Indications:-
 Induce labor
 Use of internal fetal monitoring

20. Contd ….
20
Contraindications:-
- Cord presentations
- Placenta previa
- Vasa previa
- Active genital herpes(intact fetal membranes or < 4 hrs
of rupture
- Presenting part above the pelvic inlet (relative)
Risks :-
- cord prolapse
- Increased risk of infection
- Increase perinatal HIV transmission

21. Contd ….
21
2. Oxytocin infusion
 Oxytocin is the first polypeptide hormone
synthesized
 Record maternal & fetal conditions and progress
of labor..
 The goal is to achieve effective uterine
contraction that’s sufficient to produce cervical
change and fetal descent while avoiding uterine
hyper stimulation and /or non reassuring FHB .

22. Contd ….
22
 Start oxytocin infusion, and monitor the dose and rate
of infusion strictly as follows:-
 Add 2 IU of oxytocin into 1000 ml of N/S or R/L solution
and adjust the number of drops every 30 minutes.
 Starting with a low dose of oxytocin and increase every
30 minutes till adequate uterine contraction is achieved
or maximum dose is reached.
 Label the bottle and keep timely record30 of the drops
used.
 Aim to maintain the lowest possible dosage consistent
with adequate uterine contraction.
 Monitor mother, fetus and labor according to labor
protocol.
 Continue the oxytocin infusion for at least one hour
postpartum.

23. schedule for escalating Oxytocin
dosage
23

24. Contd …
24
Discontinue Pitocin:-
 If contractions are >5/10min or >7/15min or
 If they last longer than 90 seconds(tetanic) or
 If FHB becomes non reassuring
 Uterine response occurs 3-5 minutes after beginning
of infusion of oxytocin – steady plasma level is
achieved 40minuts later

25. Contd ….
25
 Response depends on : -
 Previous uterine activity
 Uterine sensitivity
 Cervical status
 Different regimens are used for oxytocin infusion .
 Low dose
 High dose

26. OXYTOCIN
DOSING REGIMENS
26

27. Complications of induction of
labor
27
1. Mother
 Failure of induction leading to c/s
 Uterine inertia
 Tetanic uterine contraction
 Uterine rupture
 Precipitated labor resulting in genital tear
 Intrauterine infection
 Post partum hemorrhage
 Water intoxication
 Amniotic fluid embolism

28. Contd ….
28
2. Fetus
 Prematurity
 Birth injuries
 Cord prolapse
 Fetal distress
 IUFD
 Failed induction
 Definition:- failure to initiate good uterine
contraction. It is diagnosed if adequate uterine
contractions are not achieved after 6 to 8 hours
of oxytocin use of the maximum dose.

29. Contd …
29
 Tetanic contractions
 Definition: Six or more contractions in 10 min and/ or
durations of 90 or more seconds; averaged over a 30-
minute window.
 Management
− Stop oxytocin infusion
− Use tocolytics if available
− Assess fetal & maternal conditions for (fetal distress or
ruptured Ux)
− If both mother and fetus are in good condition, restart at
half dose of
the last dose causing tetanic contractions.

30. WHO
oxytocin infusion rate for induction of labor )
30
Time since
induction
hrs
Oxytoinconc Drops/min Approx. –
dose/miu/min
Vol infused Total Vol
infused
0 2.5iu/500ml 10 3 0 0
½ Same 20 5 15 15
1 >> 30 8 30 45
1 ½ >> 40 10 45 90
2 >> 50 13 60 150
2 ½ >> 60 15 75 225
3 5Iu/500ml
(10miu/ml)
30 15 90 315
3 ½ >> 40 20 45 360
4 >> 50 25 60 420
4½ >> 60 30 75 495
5 10Iu/500ml
(20miu/ml)
30 30 90 585
5½ Same 40 40 45 630
6 >> 50 50 60 690
6½ >> 60 60 75 765
7 >> 60 60 90 855
N:B increase the rate of infusion until good contraction is established and maintain it at that rate

31. Rapid escalation for primigravida only infusion rate for
induction of labor
31
Time since
induction hrs
Oxytocin conc. Drops/min Approx. –
dose/miu/min
0 2-5iu/500ml 15 4
½ >> 30 8
1 >> 45 11
1 ½ >> 60 15
2 5Iu/500ml
(10miu/ml)
30 15
2 ½ Same 45 23
3 >> 60 30
3 ½ 10Iu/500ml
(20miu/ml)
30 30
4 >> 45 45
4½ >> 60 60
5 >> 60 60