Birth after induction

Which type of birth are you likely to have?

In England between 2024-25, around 50-60 in 100 women who were induced had a vaginal birth without assistance. 16 in 100 women had an instrumental birth and about 29 in 100 women had a caesarean birth. 

Comparative array diagrams showing 50-60 pregnant women of 100 filled in - 50-60 in 100 women who are induced have a vaginal birth without assistance.



To compare with those who spontaneously laboured – 68 in 100 women had a vaginal delivery without assistance, 15 in 100 women had an instrumental birth, and about 17 in 100 women had a caesarean birth.


  • As your age increases, your chance of having a caesarean birth during an induction of labour rises.

  • Women from ethnic minority backgrounds at or beyond 41 weeks may have a higher chance of caesarean birth.


References

  1. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2021) Inducing labour. www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng207 - accessed 23/01/2026 

  2. National Maternity & Perinatal Audit: Induction of labour Snapshot. 2025

  3. NHS Maternity Statistics, 2024-25 - NHS England Digital: @NHSDigital; 2026 [Available from: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/nhs-maternity-statistics/2024-25.