Labor induction is the stimulation of contractions of the uterus before labor begins on its own. Physicians may make the decision to induce labor when there is a risk to the health of the mother or unborn child. 

Examples of reasons for inducing labor include water breaking but labor not starting, uterine infections, gestational diabetes, and certain medical conditions in the mother, such as obesity, high blood pressure, or kidney disease. Doctors may also decide to induce labor when there is a danger to the baby, for example, when the fetus is underdeveloped, or when there is a lack of amniotic fluid around the baby. 

Labor may be induced by stripping membranes from the cervix, breaking the amniotic sack, and with medication. Drugs used to in labor induction include medications to soften the cervix and labor inducers to start contractions.