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Induction of labour

In most pregnancies, labour will begin spontaneously between 37 and 42 weeks. If your labour has not commenced by 41 weeks, or if there is any risk to you, or to your baby’s health, you will have a discussion with a midwife or Obstetrician regarding an induction of labour (IOL) in the upcoming week. This means that the process of labour is encouraged to start artificially.

Your doctor or midwife will explain, why IOL is recommended for you; the risks and benefits of IOL; and the proposed induction methods. They will also be able to answer any questions you may have.

Induction of labour can be achieved by:

  • inserting a balloon catheter— (a soft silicon tube with two small balloons on the end is placed on either side of the cervix (or neck of the womb) to help it to gradually open and become thin
  • inserting prostaglandin gel—a synthetic drug, placed into the vagina, that brings about hormone changes in the cervix to make it more open and thinner
  • breaking your waters
  • giving you a synthetic hormone called syntocinon via an intravenous drip (IV) into your hand
  • a combination of the above methods.

Membrane sweep

A membrane sweep is routinely offered to women with uncomplicated pregnancies from 40 weeks as this may help you go into labour. Your obstetrician or Midwife will discuss this with you and proceed with your consent. To do the membrane sweep your obstetrician or midwife places a finger into your cervix (neck of the womb) during a vaginal examination and makes a circular, sweeping movement to separate the membranes that surround the baby from the cervix, or massage the cervix if this is not possible. This releases hormones, which may help your labour to start.

A membrane sweep increases the likelihood that labour will start within 48 hours and has a higher chance of working if the neck of your womb is already softening and preparing for labour.

What are the risks?

Having a membrane sweep does not increase the likelihood of infection for you or your baby. It may however cause slight "spotting" of blood or irregular contractions afterwards.  A membrane sweep may feel uncomfortable, this differs from woman to woman and while some women experience no discomfort, others may experience more discomfort.

A membrane sweep may be appropriate from 38 – 40 weeks of pregnancy in certain circumstances, this should be discussed with your obstetrician and Midwife. 

Your induction of labour—balloon catheter or prostaglandin gel

You will be asked to come to main reception, level 5, Mater Mothers’ Hospital at the time and day advised by your antenatal care provider. Please have a meal before coming to the hospital. You are also welcome to bring some light snacks with you for you and your support person. You will be taken to the Pregnancy Assessment Centre or the Antenatal ward for the induction.

Your midwife will take your pulse, temperature, blood pressure and review your pregnancy history. Your midwife will also assess your baby by feeling your abdomen to determine your baby’s position and use a cardiotocograph machine (CTG) to monitor your baby’s heart rate, which may take approximately 20 to 30 minutes.

If your induction is started using a balloon catheter

  • A silicone balloon catheter will be inserted by a doctor or midwife during a vaginal examination. It may be uncomfortable during the insertion and you may be positioned on your back with legs bent and apart or in the lithotomy position.
  • The two balloons (positioned either side of your cervix) will be inflated with a small quantity of sterile water and will then place continuous gentle pressure to shorten and open your cervix gradually.
  • After the balloon has been inserted you will be able to go home and rest (unless additional monitoring is required). You will be invited to return to hospital about 10 hours after the balloon has been inserted. The balloon will then be removed and IOL will continue when it is possible to break your waters.
  • You will be advised to return to hospital earlier if you have increased pain, difficulty passing urine, rupture of membranes, the balloon falls out or labour begins.
  • The balloon catheter may fall out by itself as your cervix opens. If not, it will be removed by the doctor or midwife before you have your waters broken the following morning.

Alternately, if your induction is started using prostaglandin gel

  • Prostaglandin gel is given 6–12 hours prior to breaking your waters to allow the cervix to soften and open.
  • Your midwife will perform a vaginal examination to assess your cervix, and then insert the prostaglandin gel into your vagina.
  • You will continue to rest in a side lying position, and your baby will be monitored by CTG for about one hour.
  • You will remain in hospital during the induction process, until it is possible to break your waters.

What you may feel during and after insertion of the balloon catheter or the prostaglandin gel

The level of discomfort differs from woman to woman and while some feel only minor discomfit, others may experience more.

Some women may feel some contraction-like pains after insertion of the gel, while this is less likely following insertion of the balloon catheter. After insertion of the balloon catheter or prostaglandin gel, most women are comfortable and should be able to rest. However, if you leak any fluid from your vagina, have any bleeding, need pain relief or have any other concerns, please let your midwife know.

Special circumstances

  • If prostaglandin gel is used and your cervix does not respond to the first dose, you may require further doses to assist your cervix to become ready for labour.
  • There are some situations where the use of prostaglandin is not recommended. An example of this is a uterine scarring, usually from a previous caesarean birth, is a contraindication for the use of prostaglandins; a different method, such as the balloon catheter is required to ripen the cervix. This would be discussed with you in more detail by your midwife or doctor, if required.
  • Your cervix may have started to dilate on its own prior to coming to hospital. If this has occurred, we may not need to use the balloon catheter or the gel; you may be able to go home and return later to have your waters broken.

Breaking your waters and use of Oxytocin (artificial hormone drip)

Please come to main reception, level 5, Mater Mothers’ Hospital at the time and day you have been advised.

You will be cared for in a room within Birth Suite. Your midwife will record your pulse, temperature, blood pressure, review your pregnancy history, assess your baby by listening to their heart beat, and then discuss your plans for labour and birth with you. Your midwife or doctor will break the bag of waters surrounding your baby during a vaginal examination. Once your waters are broken, your midwife will monitor your baby’s heart rate continuously, using the CTG machine, until your baby is born.

A thin sterile tube will then be inserted into the back of your hand for the oxytocin (artificial hormone) drip), to stimulate your uterus to begin contracting. Sometimes, this process may take several hours to take effect. Your midwife will adjust the drip rate at which you receive the hormone drip, until you are having regular, effective contractions to help the cervix to open further for the labour to progress.

Some women may wish to delay starting or avoid the use of oxytocin. However, delaying this after your waters are broken may prolong the onset of your labour. Please discuss this option with your doctor or midwife before your admission to hospital and before the commencement of your induction of labour.

A small number of women may find that their labour does not establish or progress. A caesarean birth may then be recommended.

Booking details for your induction of labour

Please telephone Mater Mothers’ Hospital’s Birth Suite on 07 3163 1916 if you have any questions regarding your IOL booking. Please be assured that we will always try to contact you, as early as possible, if we need to postpone your admission.

Further information

For more comprehensive information about IOL please refer the following publications:

1. Induction of labour

 

Mater acknowledges consumer consultation in the development of this patient information.
Mater Doc Num: PI-CLN-430052
Last modified 20/8/2021.
Consumers were consulted in the development of this patient information.
Last consumer engagement date: 24/3/2020
For further translated health information, you can visit healthtranslations.vic.gov.au/ supported by the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services that offers a range of patient information in multiple languages.
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