Inducing labour

placeholding invisible text

Average rating:

What is induction?

It's when labour is brought on artificially. But it's highly medicalised and there should be an important reason for it, such as pre-eclampsia, where the woman develops high blood pressure, which can affect the placenta.

Throughout pregnancy, there's a lot of emphasis on your due date, so you may be surprised when it comes and goes with no sign of labour. If you haven't reached your due date, an induced labour may increase your risk of having a Caesarean section, particularly if this is your first baby.

Pregnancy usually lasts between 37 and 42 weeks. It can be less frustrating to think of 42 weeks as your due date, but induction is offered after 41 weeks. Most women go into labour by 42 weeks and avoid intervention.

Try to be patient, waiting a few days can make all the difference.

Anne Richley, midwife.

More help and advice

- Insider's guide to labour and birth
- Embarrassing pregnancy questions answered
- Caesarean births explained
- Pain relief options during labour

By Anne Richley, midwife

Next: What happens when you're induced?

Rate this!

Average rating:

All pages in this article

Inducing labour
What happens when you're induced?

Please leave a comment, tip or story in the box below

heidi moseley, about 1 year

i have been told i need an induction, but this is based on something calld a " bishops score ", and even after 5 children i have no idea what that is nor can i find any information on it, please can somone inlighten me,

Report this comment