INDUCTION OF LABOUR – AUGUST 2018 PAGE 2 OF 3
Methods of induction
The method of induction you need will depend on how
ready your cervix (the neck of your womb) is for labour
to begin. Your doctor or midwife will do a vaginal
examination to check your cervix and then discuss
which method is most appropriate for you.
If your cervix is not ready for labour, you may need
‘priming’. Priming helps to prepare your cervix for labour
and can be done by using either a balloon catheter or
prostaglandin.
These methods help to prepare your cervix for labour
but do not usually make labour start.
Priming can take from 6 to 48 hours. Once your cervix
is open, you may need:
•
your waters to be broken and
•
oxytocin, a medication that commence
s
contractions.
You
will most likely have both of these before going into
labour and having your baby.
Prostaglandin
Prostaglandin is a gel or tablet that is inserted into your
vagina to soften the cervix and help prepare it for the
next stage of labour.
When prostaglandin is in place, you will need to lie
down for at least 30 minutes and remain in the hospital
usually until labour begins.
Things you should be aware of
•
Prostaglandin sometimes causes vaginal soreness.
•
A small number of women experience some
reactions such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea.
•
Very occasionally, prostaglandin can cause the
uterus (womb) to contract too much. If this happens,
you will be given medication to relax the uterus.
•
Most women will need further help to go into labour.
Balloon catheter
A thin tube called a catheter, with a balloon on the end
is inserted into your cervix and the balloon is then
inflated with water. This is called a balloon catheter and
is used to apply pressure to your cervix. It helps to open
it, preparing it for the next phase of labour.
The catheter is left in place for up to 12 hours then,
after the water is taken out from the balloon, the
catheter is removed. You can move around normally
while it is in place.
After the catheter is removed, you will have another
vaginal examination to determine the next steps.
Things you should be aware of
•
Most women will require further assistance to go into
labour.
Artificial Rupture of Membranes (ARM)
This procedure is commonly known as breaking your
waters.
Once the cervix is open enough, your doctor or midwife
will use a small instrument with a hook on the end to
break your waters. This will not hurt but the examination
can be uncomfortable. Your waters will continue to run
out in small amounts throughout your labour.
Things you should be aware of
•
Although breaking your waters is usually
straightforward, it can increase the risk of cord
pro
lapse, bleeding and infection. Your doctor or
midwife will take care to avoid this but are trained to
deal with any emergency that might happen.
•
It is rare for labour to start just by breaking your
waters. It is best to start using oxytocin soon after
your waters are broken.
Oxytocin
This medication is the same hormone that makes you
go into labour naturally. A needle is placed into a vein
and attached to a drip containing oxytocin.
A pump controls the amount of oxytocin medication you
are given. Your midwife will turn up the drip every half
hour until you are in labour. The length of time this
takes differs for each woman but it can take several
hours.
A midwife will usually stay with you while the drip is
running. Your baby’s heart rate will be monitored
throughout labour using a CTG machine.
Things you should be aware of
•
Your ability to move around will be limited by the drip
and CTG machine.
•
Very
occasionally, oxytocin can cause the uterus to
contract too much. If this happens, you will be asked
to lie on your left side and the drip will be adjusted or
stopped. Another drug may be given to reduce the
contractions. This may be done if there are concerns
about your baby’s heartbeat. Our doctors and
mi
d
wives are trained to deal with these issues.
•
If your induction is with oxytocin, you will be unable
to have a water birth