What happens when you’re induced

Having labour induced involves stimulating the uterus to contract instead of waiting for labour to begin on its own. While many women claim to have used any number of ‘natural’ methods to bring on labour, none have been scientifically proven and most seem to have been the last thing a woman happened to be doing before she went into labour!

Obstetricians mainly use three methods of induction today. The first is prostaglandin gel, which is inserted into the vagina, the second is breaking of the waters (also called artificially rupturing the membranes or ARM) and the third is a drip into your vein of an artificial hormone called Syntocinon. Occasionally a woman may require all three in turn to get labour started.


The reasons why
The most common reason for having labour induced is being past your due date. Research tells us that after 42 completed weeks of pregnancy the risk to the baby’s health increases, therefore it is generally recommended that a woman who goes past her due date is induced around or before 42 weeks. If your baby or you are unwell you may be advised to have an induction before 40 weeks.

Who, when and how

Prostaglandin gel
Your midwife or doctor will examine you internally to check whether your cervix has dilated and is suitable for the gel. You will be asked to come into the hospital and the midwife will insert the gel. Generally you will need two or three doses of the gel with six hours between doses and your baby will be monitored before and after each dose.
ARM
If you require an ARM this will be done by a midwife or doctor.
Syntocinon
A midwife or doctor will insert a cannula into your vein so the drug can be given straight into your bloodstream.


Then what?
Even though these methods of induction are very reliable, what each woman’s response will be can’t be predicted and will vary. For some women, the gel will get things started nicely; others will need their waters broken as well; while others will need the Syntocinon as well to go into effective labour.

What will the labour be like?

Generally an induced labour is shorter (once established) than a spontaneous labour but be prepared to use all your labour strategies as this isn’t always the case – you could still have a long labour, you just never know.


Cancel that booking!
It’s common to have induction booked then go into spontaneous labour before the appointment so if you want to speed things up, book that induction now.

Shea Caplice is a clinical midwifery consultant, a member of PP’s expert advisory team and a mum of one

How induction works

• Prostaglandin gel is a synthetic form of prostaglandin that softens and prepares the cervix for labour.

• Breaking the waters (ARM) stimulates the release of more hormones to get the labour going (which may be the only induction method required if you’ve had a baby previously).

• Syntocinon is a synthetic form

of the natural hormone oxytocin which acts on your uterus to stimulate contractions