Supporting you to make a decision

Benefits of induction of labour

Benefits to mother

Some women may feel a greater sense of control when planning their birth as an induction of labour is booked in advance.

  • Reduces your chance of developing late onset pre-eclampsia from 39 weeks onwards.

  • Depending on how many weeks you are, induction of labour can reduce your chances of unplanned/emergency caesarean birth: 

    • If you have an induction at 39 weeks about 19 in 100 women would be expected to have an unplanned or emergency caesarean birth whereas, if you have an induction at 40-42 weeks about 22 in 100 women would be expected to have an unplanned/emergency caesarean birth.

Benefits to the baby

It may be associated with your baby being born in better condition [LINK] higher APGAR score than waiting for labour to begin on its own.

  • May reduce the chance of stillbirth.

  • Having an induction of labour may reduce the risk of your baby needing admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

  • May reduced the chance of neonatal death.

  • If your baby is large-for-dates your risk of shoulder dystocia and in turn, fractures, are reduced compared to waiting for physiological labour.

  • Inducing labour prevents approximately 1 perinatal death (death of baby inside womb and up to first week of life) in every 544 women who have it.

Benefits of using oxytocin

Oxytocin is generally considered to be safe for mum and baby. Using it may shorten the length of labour by nearly 2 hours. It does not increase the number of women requesting epidurals and there is no difference in the number of women have a caesarean birth.