Information about Induction of Labour
My name is Rebecca Gray, and I’m one of the Induction of Labour coordinators at the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust. There are many reasons why you may be offered an induction of labour, indications for why induction may be recommended, include diabetes, post dates, reduce fetal movements, and concern regarding your baby’s growth.
In lower risk pregnancies, induction of labour is offered between 41 and 42 weeks, as the risk of stillbirth increases post 42 weeks. You will be provided with information about induction of labour and the reasons for why it has been recommended for you. It is then your choice as to whether you want to go ahead with the induction.
Although an induced onset of labour is different from a spontaneous onset of labour, it is a common process experienced by many women. The same mechanisms of labour are experienced, and the same pain relief options are available to you through an induced labour, as there would be through spontaneous labour.
With the exception of the birthing pools. In order to remain as relaxed as possible through your labour, you may wish to bring with you to hospital some relaxing music to play, an extra pillow, and some energy snacks. You are also able to remain as active as you wish through your labour in the delivery rooms using birthing balls and changing your position to feel as comfortable as possible.
A quick run through of the induction pathway involves an initial admission to the antenatal ward or delivery suite, where your observations will be taken, and your baby’s heart rate monitored, prior to a vaginal examination to assess your cervix.
If your cervix is open enough to break your waters, your waters will be broken when it is safe to do so. If your cervix is not open enough to break your waters, then you will be offered either a propess or a dilapan option, as a way of softening and dilating your cervix, to then be able to break your waters. Breaking your waters is the next step of induction, and if regular contractions are not experienced, a syntocinon hormone drip will be commenced to stimulate regular contractions for your labour to progress.
The induction pathway can vary in length, depending on each stage of the induction process. It is uncommon for your baby to be born on the same day of your admission to hospital for induction. The induction process can take up to a few days for some women as your body prepares for labour. This preparation stage of the induction may be viewed to being similar to the latent phase of a spontaneous labour, which can commonly take a few days before labour is established.
Prior to your admission to hospital for induction, you can choose to have a membrane sweep to help soften your cervix and reduce the likelihood of needing propess or dilapan, especially if more than one membrane sweep has been provided. More information around induction of labour can be found in the other bite-sized videos, in the patient information leaflet, or by asking your midwife or obstetrician.