Vaginal birth

• Most women give birth through the vagina (birth canal).
• Labor occurs in three stages and feels unique to everyone.
• If you’re healthy, wait for labor to begin on its own.

Some women may prefer to have an induction, even without medical need. Inducing labor may appeal to both the woman and the health care provider because it helps them plan their schedules. The March of Dimes recommends that labor be induced only when the health of the woman or baby is at risk. In 2003, labor was induced in 1 out of 5 deliveries in the United States. The rate has more than doubled since 1990. Some health care providers believe that many inductions are medically unnecessary.

The risk of late preterm birth
Inductions may contribute to the growing number of babies who are born "late preterm," between 34 and 36 weeks gestation. While babies born at this time are usually considered healthy, they are more likely to have medical problems than babies born a few weeks later at full term (37-42 weeks).

A baby's lungs and brain mature late in pregnancy. Compared to a full-term baby, an infant born between 34 and 36 weeks gestation is more likely to have problems with:

• Breathing
• Feeding
• Maintaining his or her temperature
• Jaundice 

It can be hard to pinpoint the date your baby was conceived. Being off by just a week or two can result in premature birth. This may make a difference in your baby's health. Keep this in mind when scheduling an induction.

Learn more about inducing labor. If you decide to ask your provider for an induction, be sure to ask these two questions:

• How will you induce my labor?
• Will inducing labor increase the chance that I'll need a c-section?

July 2009