It is estimated that 1 in 5 women have to have their labour induced. There are a number of reasons why doctors may induce labour:

  • If you have gone past your due date
  • If there is something wrong with the foetus
  • If there is something wrong with the mother

The most common method of induction is using Prostin an artificial version of the hormone prostaglandin which causes the cervix to ripen. If your doctor decides to use this method they will book you an appointment, when you arrive they will take a blood and a urine sample and perform a CTG which monitors the baby’s heart rate.

An internal examination is then performed to assess the condition of the cervix assuming the cervix is closed a pessary will be inserted, after which they will perform another CTG to ensure that the baby isn’t distressed by the pessary. Six hours later they will perform another internal examination and if the cervix is still closed the process is repeated, they will only give you 3 pessarys, if labour still isn’t occurring then a caesarean is performed.

However if the cervix is dilated they will attempt to break your waters by using a tool which looks a little bit like a knitting needle with a tiny hook on the end, or if after any of the doses labour seems to be progressing OK they may leave it and let nature take its course. If they have to break your waters for you they usually start you on a drip with an artificial form of oxytocin.

If you have your labour induced you can eat and drink as normal until you are in established labour and are still able to have all the methods of pain relief available to those who go into labour naturally.

It is worth pointing out that as with any medical procedure there risks, however these are rare.

  • Increased risk of caesarean – this is either a result of the foetus becoming distressed or if labour isn’t progressing
  • If you have to have your waters broken there is an increased risk of infection both to you and baby although this is rare
  • The baby may react to the prostin again this is rare and staff are monitoring the baby regularly

Having had my labour induced due to a declining fluid index and my baby’s abdominal circumference wasn’t increasing, I can say that it can seem scary but the staff are very good and explain what is going on at every stage so you know what is happening and it is worth it if they can save your baby.