Maternity units across the country are observing a rise in the number of patients undergoing induction compared to a decade ago. But what exactly is the process behind inducing labor?

In a recent segment of Making Babies, Professor Shane Higgins from the National Maternity Hospital shed light on the reasons behind the increasing trend of induced labor and its implications for expecting mothers.

According to Prof. Higgins, a guideline published by the Institute of Obstetricians in 2023 recommended offering induction of labor to women who are a week past their due date. While it's not mandatory, it should be presented as part of the care package. Various factors like older maternal age, IVF programs, and comorbidities have contributed to the growing number of induced patients.

There are three stages involved in inducing labor, starting with the ripening of the cervix. This is followed by breaking the waters and initiating the patient on oxytocin to stimulate contractions gradually over several hours. The entire process can span from two to four days before the patient enters active labor, making it a challenging experience for patients.

Lifespan of the placenta

Prof. Higgins explained that the primary reason for inducing labor is the belief that the placenta has a finite lifespan and may begin to malfunction after a certain point. The goal is to ensure the baby is born while the placenta is still functioning optimally. While the National Maternity Hospital allows patients to go up to two weeks past their due date with close monitoring, interventions like measuring amniotic fluid levels and monitoring the baby's heart rate are crucial.

However, if the baby is healthy and content, patients can go beyond the term plus seven. There's a common belief that induced patients have a higher likelihood of requiring interventions like a cesarean section. Prof. Higgins cautioned against direct comparisons as the induced group comprises diverse cases with varying risk factors.

He also recommended considering a sweep, a non-pharmacological method to encourage labor by stretching the cervix, thus potentially avoiding the need for induction.

Main image: Woman giving birth in hospital with medical team. Image: Andor Bujdoso / Alamy. 23 October 2019