If labour has to be induced
Labour is a natural process that usually starts on its own. Sometimes it needs to be started artificially: this is called ‘induced labour’.
About a third of women in the UK have their labour induced. This is often because they are overdue, or their waters have broken but labour has not started.
Inducing labour can be the best option if there are health risks to the mother or baby of continuing the pregnancy. But it may affect other choices women have made, like where they give birth and their options during the birth, so it is important that all women can choose for themselves whether to have an induction.
Making informed decisions
Decisions about treatment and care are best made when all the choices available, and all the possible outcomes, have been discussed. Your care team should give you clear information, talk with you about your options and listen carefully to your views and concerns. This includes explaining how your labour will be induced if you choose this (this can be done either by giving medicines that can help start labour, or by using medical equipment), and telling you why some options may not be right for you (for example, some medicines shouldn’t be used if you’ve previously had a caesarean birth).
To help you make decisions, think about:
- What are you most worried about – are there risks or downsides to having your labour induced that worry you more than others?
- How will induction of labour affect you and your baby?
- What happens if you decide not to have your labour induced?
If you need more support to understand the information you are given, ask your care team.
Read more about induction of labour on the NHS website.
Appendix A: Risks associated with different induction of labour timing strategies
This information is based on national recommendations, however, we will always aim to provide a personal plan of care which considers your individual circumstances and preferences. If you have any questions please contact your midwife or obstetrician.
Methods of induction of labour
There are several ways to soften and open your cervix that can be used, the first method that is offered is a cervical ripening balloon.
Delays to induction
There can sometimes be delays whilst we await a bed and a midwife to be available on the Birthing Centre to provide one-to-one care for you in labour. This is because the unpredictable nature of childbirth can sometimes cause periods where there are increased numbers of women in labour or there are women who have associated illnesses who require a higher level of care, which can lead to some delays for women who require induction of labour.
In order to maintain a safe birthing environment for women, it may be necessary to postpone or delay your induction of labour until we can ensure it is safe to proceed. This can be a number of days. You may want to take this into account as such delays may have an impact on your family, for example when your partner is anticipating starting paternity leave. It may also be necessary to offer you transfer to another local hospital if delaying your induction is deemed unsafe for you or your baby. This will be assessed on an individual basis.
During this time, if suitable and you wish to you will be able to go home and return to the hospital when there is a midwife available. If you wish, or if clinically indicated you may remain in hospital during this period so that the midwives and the doctors can continue to assess you and your baby's wellbeing and should there be any concerns, appropriate action would be taken.
Similarly, if active labour starts whilst you are on the ward, you would take the same priority as other labouring women in being promptly assigned a midwife on the Birthing Centre.
Further information
Please call us if you have any questions before your induction. Get in touch with your community midwife or call the Antenatal Day Unit on 01226 432203 if your midwife is not available.
If you have any problems or concerns after your induction process has been started, please contact the Maternity Assessment Unit on: 01226 432249.
If you need to contact the Antenatal/Postnatal ward please contact: 01226 432242 or 01226 432241. These numbers are available 24 hours, 7 days a week.