text: Labor induction is the process or treatment that stimulates childbirth and delivery. Inducing (starting) labor can be accomplished with pharmaceutical or non-pharmaceutical methods. In Western countries, it is estimated that one-quarter of pregnant women have their labor medically induced with drug treatment. Inductions are most often performed either with prostaglandin drug treatment alone, or with a combination of prostaglandin and intravenous oxytocin treatment.
  Causes
  Commonly accepted medical reasons for induction include:
  Postterm pregnancy, i.e. if the pregnancy has gone past the end of the 42nd week.
  Intrauterine fetal growth restriction (IUGR).
  There are health risks to the woman in continuing the pregnancy (e.g. she has pre-eclampsia).