<unk> is a method of artificially or prematurely stimulating labour in a woman.
Common causes for<unk> include:
The baby is believed to be getting too big.
Postdate pregnancy, i.e. if the pregnancy has gone past the 42 week mark.
Intrauterine fetal growth retardation (IUGR).
There are health risks to the woman in continuing the pregnancy (e.g. she has pre-eclampsia).
Premature rupture of the membranes (PROM); this is when the membranes rupture, but labour does not start within a specific amount of time.
Premature termination of the pregnancy (abortion).
Scheduling concerns.
Fetal death in utero.
Induction 
Blocking 
Exaptation
Splitting 
Withdrawal
Transactivation
Sublimation 
Extraction 