placental abruption – a lot of abruptions can be delivered vaginally, and should be if possible. Sometimes there is a fair amount of bleeding but the fetus is doing fine – in those cases we’re better off transfusing blood if necessary and allowing a vaginal delivery. Adding surgical blood loss doesn’t do the mother any favors if the baby can be delivered safely through the vagina. Fetal monitoring is very helpful in these situations.

-full-blown eclampsia – I disagree with this. An eclamptic woman needs to be treated with magnesium and possibly other anti-seizure medications. Once she is stabilized, induction is a reasonable way to go, especially if she has a favorable cervix. With adequate antiseizure coverage repeat seizure is unlikely. Furthermore, the immediate delivery attainable by cesarean doesn’t benefit her greatly, as it takes many days for the risk of repeat seizure to abate. The extra 12-24 hours needed for an induction are a reasonable trade to avoid the morbidity of a cesarean, if the patient is stable enough for it.

Pitocin is a synthetic hormone that causes the uterus to contract, and may start labor.

Cervical dilation substances can be applied to the cervix, and may start labor.

If the cervix is already well dilated, and the baby’s head is engaged, breaking the water can trigger labor.

Sometimes herbal remedies are used as well, but any induction method carries risks and should only be used when the benefits outweigh the risk to the mother and baby!