Labor is usually induced for medical reasons. Reasons may relate to both the mother and the fetus. With respect to the mother some common indications are poor maternal health, severe hypertension, maternal uterine infection, rupture of the fetal membranes prior to the onset of spontaneous labor etc. With respect to the fetus common indications are growth failure, non-reassuring fetal condition (stressed fetus), decreasing fetal activity, decreased amniotic fluid (oligohydramnios), etc. Many Obstetricians choose to induce labor if spontaneous labor does not commence by 39-40 weeks because fetal morbidity and fetal mortality increase exponentially after 39 weeks.
