Induced labor
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Induced labor
Labor can be started (induced) by giving a pregnant woman oxytocin, a medication that starts uterine contractions. Oxytocin is given through a vein (intravenously or IV).
Other medications, such as prostaglandin E gel or misoprostil, may also be applied in the vagina to help soften and widen the opening to the uterus (cervix).
Credits
| Author | Kathe Gallagher, MSW |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Gregory A L Davies, MD, FRCSC, FACOG - Maternal-Fetal Medicine |
| Last Updated | November 2, 2007 |
| Last updated: | November 02, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Kathe Gallagher, MSW |
| Reviewed By: | Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine, Gregory A L Davies, MD, FRCSC, FACOG - Maternal-Fetal Medicine |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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