Before contractions or Pitocin even start, there’s one crucial step in an induction — cervical ripening.

In this episode, we break down exactly how the cervix is prepared for labor and what to expect during this process.

We cover:

• What cervical ripening actually means
• The most common methods, including Cervidil, Foley and Cook catheters, and Misoprostol (Cytotec)
• What each option feels like, how they’re used, and what the evidence says about their effectiveness
• Tips for comfort, expectations, and how your care team decides which method is right for you

This is Part 1 of our Inductions of Labor series — tune in next week to hear what happens after your cervix is ripe, in Part 2: Pitocin and Active Labor.