Induction (birth)
Induction is a way of artificially bringing on labour in a woman.
Common causes for induction include:
- The baby is believed to be getting too big
- Postdate pregnancy, i.e. if the pregnancy has gone past the 42 week mark
- Intrauterine fetal growth retardation (IUGR)
- There are health risks to the woman in continuing the pregnancy (e.g. she has preeclampsia)
- Premature rupture of the membranes (PROM); this is when the membranes rupture, but labour does not start within a specific amlount of time.
Methods of induction
Methods of inducing labour include:
If induction does not work, a Caesarean section may be required.
