What is induction of labour?
Induction of labour is a process that helps to start labour when it does not begin on its own.
Why is labour induced?
Many women will go into spontaneous labour between 37 and 42 weeks of pregnancy. However, approximately one in three women may need to have their labour induced for various medical reasons to help reduce potential risks for both mother and baby. You’ll be able to discuss the advantages and disadvantages with your doctor and midwife.
Common reasons include:
- Post-term pregnancy: When labour has not yet started and your estimated due date has passed.
- Prolonged rupture of membranes: If your waters release more than 24 hours before labour starts, there’s an increased risk of infection.
- Health conditions: Such as pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, or concerns about your baby’s growth.
- Reduced fetal movements: Changes in your baby’s normal movement patterns.
Your choice
It’s your choice whether to have your labour induced or not. Your healthcare team will discuss all options with you, including the benefits and risks of:
- Having labour induced
- Waiting for labour to start naturally
- Planning a caesarean
Before your induction: Preparation steps
Hand expressing colostrum
Expressing your milk by hand is a useful skill to have, and it may be helpful to have some colostrum ready for after your baby’s birth. Hand expressing can help release oxytocin, which is the hormone that stimulates contraction.
You may wish to start expressing from 36 weeks of pregnancy between 2-8 times per day.
Hand expression video - Baby Friendly Initiative
Supporting baby to get into the best position for birth
- Leaning forward positions: Sit on a birthing ball and make gently circle shapes or back and forwards movements with your hips.
- Spend time on all-fours arching and flattening your back (cat-cow stretches)
- Walk daily
- Lie on your side with a pillow between your legs
Where possible, consider moving into different positions to avoid from slouching or leaning back positions, crossing your legs when sitting or lying flat on your back.
Perineal massage
To reduce the chance of a tear, from 35 weeks of pregnancy you may start to massage the area of skin and muscle between the vagina and anus.
Perineal Care - Virtual Session Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite
Membrane sweep
Before inducting labour, you’ll be offered a membrane sweep, also known as a cervical sweep. This procedure aims to simulate your body’s natural hormones, called prostaglandins, to help start your labour. The effects of the membrane sweep can take up to 48 hours to occur but may not always start labour. This is offered usually from 39 weeks of pregnancy and reduces the need for induction for two in 10 women.
What happens:
With your consent, your midwife or doctor gently sweeps their finger around your cervix during and internal vaginal examination.
What to expect:
- Some women find the procedure uncomfortable or painful
- You may experience cramping in your abdomen (lower belly). In some cases, it may not be able to complete the sweep due to the position of your cervix. This is completely normal, and the procedure can be repeated after 48 hours if you wish.
Where you may choose to give birth
It is advisable for births following an induction of labour to take place in a hospital. However, if your induction only involves Propess or ARM and you have an uncomplicated pregnancy (for instance, your induction is due to a prolonged pregnancy), you may opt to give birth in the midwife-led birth centre. Please ask your midwife to consider if the birth centre is a suitable choice for you.
For more information on the methods and process of induction, what to expect during an induction and decision making please take a look at our Induction of Labour leaflet:
Or sign up to our Induction of labour live webinar :
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If you are preparing for an Induction of labour at Sash – make sure you take a look at our Induction of labour toolkit:
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You may be eligible for an outpatient induction of labour. Your induction process would be started on the ward and you could then return home while you await signs of labour. Please discuss this with your midwife or doctor as part of your personalised care plan.
Lots more information and videos can be found on the NHS website here.