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Induction of labour
Category: Women's Health & Childbirth · All women's health & childbirth
What it is
Induction of labour is the process of starting labour artificially when continuing the pregnancy carries more risk than delivering the baby — for example when the pregnancy is overdue, waters have broken without labour, or there are concerns about mother or baby.
Why it is done
Common reasons include post-dates pregnancy, pre-labour rupture of membranes, high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia, diabetes, reduced baby movements or growth concerns. The reasons and alternatives (including waiting with monitoring) are discussed with you.
How to prepare
You will have an examination to assess the cervix (Bishop score), a heart-rate recording of the baby, and a review of your notes and bloods. Induction is planned on the labour ward or induction suite.
What happens during the procedure
Methods are staged: a membrane sweep may be offered first; then a prostaglandin tablet, gel or pessary placed in the vagina, or a balloon catheter, to soften and open the cervix — this stage can take many hours or more than a day. Once the cervix allows, the waters may be broken and an oxytocin drip started to bring on contractions, with continuous monitoring.
Afterwards — recovery & results
Induction is a process, not a moment: from starting to delivery commonly takes one to three days, some of it spent resting on the ward. Pain relief options are the same as in spontaneous labour. If induction does not establish labour, the options — rest and retry, or caesarean — are discussed with you.
Risks & considerations
Risks include the womb contracting too frequently (managed by removing the pessary or adjusting the drip), infection risk rising the longer waters are broken, a higher chance of instrumental or caesarean birth compared with spontaneous labour, and rarely uterine scar rupture in women with a previous caesarean (specific methods are chosen carefully). Your team will go through your situation.
Related guides on MedicalVideos.com
Frequently asked questions
Can I decline induction?
Yes — it is an offer with reasons, not an obligation. Your team will explain the risks of waiting in your circumstances and agree a monitoring plan if you choose to wait.
Why is it taking so long?
The cervix must soften and open before contractions are effective. This ripening stage is often the longest part, especially for first babies.
Related procedures — Women's Health & Childbirth
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