Some induction methods can restrict the woman's mobility. If an intravenous (IV) oxytocin drip (or Syntocinon) is being used, it can limit her ability to move around freely. This is because the drip needs to go through an electronic infusion pump (although many have portable batteries, which can help a little). The infusion pump administers the correct dose of the oxytocin medication and stays in until after the baby is born.
Being induced with medications usually also involves periods of continual monitoring of the baby's heart rate with
CTG Machine. This is generally limited to periods of 40 minutes, to an hour or so, with prostaglandins, and usually the rest of the labour with an oxytocin drip. The aim of continuously monitoring the baby's heart rate is to observe how the baby reacts to the uterus being 'kick started' with the medications and artificially stimulated for a long period of time (as opposed to slowly building up with the natural hormones).
In a labour that is not interfered with, the contractions will naturally come and go in 2 to 5 minutely cycles. This is nature's way of giving adequate time for the woman, and baby, to recover before the next contraction begins. When the labour is induced, the medications can sometimes force the uterus to contract too much, not allowing the baby 'recovery time' to obtain enough oxygen. This causes the baby to become distressed. Continuous monitoring is always recommended if the waters have broken and the amniotic fluid is heavily
meconium stained. It will also mean being cared for in the delivery suite (if you have chosen to labour in a birth centre or at home).
The monitor is strapped to the woman's belly to obtain a continuous readout of her baby's heart rate. A CTG machine often relies on the woman being relatively still (often on the bed), so the device can obtain an accurate readout.