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What is Induction in Pregnancy?
A guide to inductions in the NHS
When explaining what an induction is and what the process is, I am referring to how it generally is in the NHS (that is in the UK). I imagine the process is similar in some areas of the world and is a very different process in others.
What is induction?
This is when healthcare professionals want to medically ‘induce’ natural labour. This is because they think it will provide a better outcome for either mum or baby for them to deliver sooner rather than later, but it isn’t urgent enough to require an emergency caesarian section. There are various ways this can be done and generally involves more than one step. It is not unusual for the induction process to last up to 5 days.
Why might you be offered an induction?
There can be various reasons why an obstetrician might want you to go for induction, including gestational diabetes, a ‘large for dates’ baby, and reduced fetal movements, to name but a few. However, I used the word ‘offered’ in the heading because what happens should always be the woman's decision. So if you are a mum-to-be, a midwife, or a doctor, make it a discussion.
