Labor Induction at South Shore Hospital: What to Expect

When you’re pregnant and learn that your care team is ready to induce labor, it can be an exciting time.

After months of pregnancy, labor and delivery are almost here!

However, labor induction can also cause some stress and confusion, particularly if it’s your first pregnancy or first time being induced.

To help address some of that confusion, our Labor Team wanted to answer some common questions about the labor induction process.

Why Do Clinicians Decide to Induce Labor?

Your care team will recommend inducing labor when they’ve identified a medical reason to move towards delivery at that time.

Common reasons for induction include preeclampsia, infection, concerns about fetal health, gestational diabetes (GDM), and your water breaking without labor starting on its own.

Your provider will discuss the specific reasons why they are recommending induction. 

Your provider will also discuss the options for methods of induction and whether your induction will take place in an inpatient or outpatient setting.

How Will My Care Team Induce Labor?

Your provider will assess your cervix by conducting an exam to identify if your cervix is dilated (open) and effaced (softened). This exam will guide what methods are used to induce your labor.

Generally speaking, there are two stages to inducing labor: cervical ripening and augmentation.

How Does Cervical Ripening Work During Labor Induction?

If your cervix is not dilated or effaced, methods will be used to help your cervix become softer, thinner and, in turn, ready for labor. Methods used can include:

• Cytotec: A series of pills that can be taken orally or placed vaginally that help to ripen the cervix.
• Dilapan: Small rods that are inserted into your cervix and gently expand over the course of 24 hours, which cause your cervix to dilate and efface.
• Cervical Balloon: A small catheter that is inserted into your cervix with two small balloons, which are then inflated, pressing your cervix between them, physically causing it to dilate and efface.

Keep in mind that more than one method may be used at the same time (i.e. a cervical balloon and Cytotec), and that your body may require one or more of these methods over the course of your induction. 

In addition, some patients are candidates for outpatient ripening. Your provider will discuss if outpatient ripening is an option for you.

How Does Augmentation Work During Induction of Labor?

After your cervix has been ripened, your provider will move to the second phase of induction, which is augmentation.

Augmentation refers to the process of using medication or other means to help the labor process continue to progress.

Your provider will discuss which augmentation option is best to help your body transition into labor and create a care plan based on your needs.

Please note that certain methods of augmentation (and cervical ripening) may not be suitable for you given your medical history. 

Your provider will explain if there are any reasons why an augmentation isn’t right for you.

Common methods of augmentation include:

• Pitocin: An IV medication that causes the uterus to contract. This medication is slowly increased with the goal of obtaining strong, regular labor contractions.
• Breaking your Water (AROM): Your provider uses a small hook to open the bag of water, with the goal of initiating labor.

You may hear anecdotal stories from friends or family members who say that labor happened quickly after Pitocin or that their induction was a long process.

While this input might be helpful for you, it’s important to remember that everyone experiences labor and delivery differently!

Don’t be discouraged if your induction experience doesn’t line up with a friend’s. 

Your care team will communicate with you throughout the process to ensure a healthy, happy delivery.

When Will I Be Admitted to South Shore Hospital?

Once your care team has settled on induction of labor, a request for induction form will be completed by your provider and submitted to South Shore Hospital’s Birthing Unit. 

Typically, you will receive a specific date for induction. However, it’s important to keep in mind that there is up to a three-day window from your date that you can be called into the Birthing Unit for your induction. 

Our team will contact you to update you on the status of your induction and when you will be brought into the unit. Our team will also provide you with a time to arrive at the Hospital.

If you are a candidate for outpatient ripening, you will receive a time to arrive at the Hospital for placement of the ripening agent. 

After that, you will return to the Hospital within 24 hours, at a scheduled time, for the inpatient course of your induction.

Where Should I Go for My Induction at South Shore Hospital?

Once you arrive at the Hospital, you may park your car in the Columbian Street garage or use our valet parking service, which is located outside the McKim Family Main Entrance.

Both the valet service and the Columbian Street garage are free, with no parking fee required.

Enter the Hospital via the McKim Family Main Entrance and our concierge team will direct you to the Emilson Building (B) elevators.

Take the elevators to the second floor. When you exit the elevators, the McKim Family Birthing Unit is across from the elevators.

Follow the signs and check in at the desk. 

Once registered, a staff member will bring you to your room, where you will be admitted and the induction process will begin.

Who and What Should I Bring to My Labor Induction at South Shore Hospital?

You can have your partner and one additional support person with you during the induction process and when you are in labor. 

If you’ve hired a Doula, they are allowed in the birthing room as well.

As the process of induction can take time, we suggest that your partner join you on your day of admission and additional support people join you once you are in active labor.

We also encourage you to bring items that will personalize your birth experience, including music, a comfortable change of clothes, a phone charger, and a camera.

While the information shared here applies to the majority of inductions, every patient is different. 

If you have specific questions relating to your situation, please speak to your care team. 

Members of South Shore Health’s Labor Team authored this blog post.

Learn more about Pregnancy & Childbirth Care at South Shore Health.