Guideline
Inducing labour
Induced labour has an impact on the birth experience of women. It may be less efficient and is usually more painful than spontaneous labour, and epidural analgesia and assisted delivery are more likely to be required.
This guideline covers circumstances, methods and monitoring for inducing labour in pregnant women to avoid a pregnancy lasting longer than 42 weeks (known as a prolonged pregnancy) or if a woman’s waters break but labour does not start. It aims to improve the advice and care provided to women considering and undergoing induction of labour in hospital-based maternity units, midwifery led units and at home.