What is Induction of Labour?

How does induced birth work?

Induction means kick‑starting labour medically rather than waiting for it to begin naturally. It uses methods like hormone gels or pessaries, mechanical tools to soften your cervix, or breaking your waters to encourage contractions  .

Why It Might Be Recommended

Your care team may suggest induction for reasons such as:

• Going past your due date

• Reduced baby movements, or low growth detected via scans 

• High blood pressure, pre‑eclampsia, gestational diabetes, cholestasis 

• Waters broken for longer than 24 hours without labour starting, lowering infection risk 

• Age over 40, Group B strep or other pregnancy complications 

The aim of inducing birth rather than waiting for spontaneous labour it to reduce risks for you and your baby—like preventing stillbirth, infection or pre‑eclampsia becoming serious .

The Induction Journey at East Surrey Hospital

Under Surrey & Sussex NHS Trust (Rusper Antenatal Ward in Redhill), the process typically follows this path:

1. Attend initial appointment on the scheduled day—your midwife or obstetrician evaluates you and baby.

2. Start cervical preparation—using prostaglandin pessary (like Propess) or mechanical agents (Dilapan-S Rods, details here)

3. Monitoring via a CTG (baby’s heartbeat) during and after insertion.

4. Waiting time: this might be in hospital or at home (if you’re eligible for outpatient induction).

5. Once the cervix is ready:

   • Your waters may be broken (ARM),

   • Or you’re moved to Labour Ward for synthetic oxytocin drip (“Syntocinon”) drip to boost contractions.

6. Active labour begins—care continues until birth.

Some mums begin at home and return later—that “outpatient” option depends on your individual plan and risk factors.

See the SASH Website for a copy of their flyers on Induction and the process they follow.

Induction at Epsom (Epsom & St Helier NHS Trust)

At Epsom or St Helier:

• You can start induction in midwife‑led birth centres if low-risk, but are reassessed and may transfer to the obstetric-led unit  .

• Steps are similar: pessary or mechanical ripening (Foley Bulb/Balloon), monitoring, optional outpatient stage, then ARM/oxytocin as needed .

• Hospital setting provides access to epidurals, assisted birth, theatre support if needed.

Decision-Making Tools to Help You Decide

Further reading: Dr Sara Wickham has summarised research to present evidence-based information on her website which you can read here.

B.R.A.I.N. Framework

Use this to guide your decision with your care team:

• Benefits: What are the benefits of induction? (e.g. reducing risks) Whats the evidence for this being beneficial rather than waiting.

• Risks: What are the risks—pain, intervention cascade, hyperstimulation?

• Alternatives: Watching-and-waiting, membrane sweep, home birth?

• Intuition: How do you feel about being induced?

• Nothing: What if you choose to wait—what could happen then? Risk checklist

Factor	Consider	Your Situation
Due date	>41 weeks increases stillbirth risk	Are you past your due date?
Baby wellbeing	Reduced movement/growth can be serious	Have your scans been normal?
Membranes	Waters broken >24 h = infection risk	Did your waters break early?
Medical conditions	Conditions like diabetes or hypertension increase induction benefits

• Is It Right for You? Yes if:

  • You’re overdue and keen to start labour or have a medical condition that puts you or baby at risk.

  • A close monitoring environment makes you feel safe and supported.

•  Maybe postpone if:

  • You’re not that far over your due date, happy to wait, and everything’s progressing normally.

  • You prefer a low‑intervention birth and meet low-risk criteria.

•  Ultimately, induction is your choice. Use the B.R.A.I.N. questions and talk honestly with your midwife about your values, priorities and fears.

  

  How to decide if induction is right for you

  Final Thoughts

  • Induction is a common procedure when agreed as necessary, but it’s still a medical intervention that can affect your birth preferences and overall experience.

  • Both East Surrey (Rusper Ward) and Epsom/St Helier follow a staged approach—cervical ripening, monitoring, then ARM/oxytocin if needed, sometimes with an initial outpatient stay.

  • Decide using clear info, frameworks like B.R.A.I.N., and reflections on what feels right for you.

    
    

You deserve a birth experience that feels right—for your body, your baby and your birth story. Induction is one path, not the only one. Equip yourself with questions, tools, and calm conversation—because you are in the driving seat.

If you would like my support preparing for induction and exploring ways to ensure a more positive experience do get in touch. I have a Guide as well as a Digital Positive Induction Course available and can offer 121 coaching and support.