<h1>Induction of labour</h1>
<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1139" src="https://admin.mumandbaby.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/2.3.2.jpg" alt="Pregnant woman in hospital room sits on an exercise ball supported by her birth partner and a midwife" width="650" height="406" />

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Inducing labour will always be discussed with you, to ensure you fully understand the risks and benefits and your consent will be gained prior to anything happening.</span>

<div class="submenu" data-cat="submenu">

<a href="https://admin.mumandbaby.uk/2018/08/17/why-i-might-be-offered-an-induction-of-labour/">Why might I be offered an induction of labour?</a>

<a href="https://admin.mumandbaby.uk/2018/08/17/how-is-labour-induced/">How is labour induced?</a>

<a href="https://admin.mumandbaby.uk/2018/08/17/frequently-asked-questions/">Induction of labour: Frequently asked questions</a>

</div>
<div class="relatedlinks" data-cat="relatedlinks">

<a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/induction-labour/" type="nhs">Induction of labour</a>

<a href="https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/labour-birth/induction-labour-information-about-having-labour-induced" type="tommy's">Having labour induced</a>

<a href="https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng207">Inducing labour</a>

<a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/961453/6636310-episode-35-induction">Induction - The Obs Pod, Episode 35</a>

</div>

Induction of labour

<h1>Interventions in labour</h1>
<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1145" src="https://admin.mumandbaby.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/2.3.3.jpg" alt="Pregnant woman reclines on a hospital bed while a midwife feels her bared bump" width="650" height="406" />

<span style="font-weight: 400;">During labour, sometimes things can slow down or concerns can arise with your or your baby's well-being. If this happens your midwives and/or doctors may recommend certain options  to help you to give birth to your baby safely.</span>
<div class="submenu" data-cat="submenu">

<a href="https://admin.mumandbaby.uk/2018/08/17/breaking-your-waters-amniotomy/">Breaking your waters (amniotomy)</a>

<a href="https://admin.mumandbaby.uk/2018/08/17/606/">Oxytocin (known as synto or syntocinon)</a>

<a href="https://admin.mumandbaby.uk/2018/08/17/610/">Episiotomy</a>

<a href="https://admin.mumandbaby.uk/2018/08/17/ventouse-forceps/">Ventouse or forceps</a>

<a href="https://admin.mumandbaby.uk/2018/08/17/caesarean-birth-2/">Emergency caesarean birth</a>

</div>

Interventions in labour

<h1>When pregnancy goes beyond your due date</h1>
<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1135" src="https://admin.mumandbaby.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/2.3.1.jpg" alt="Close up of pregnant woman with a pen crossing off days on a wall calendar" width="650" height="406" />

<span style="font-weight: 400;">If you have had a healthy pregnancy without complication and haven’t gone into labour by 41 weeks you will have a routine appointment with your midwife to discuss the next steps.  </span>

<h2>What happens at your 41 week appointment?</h2>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">You will be offered a membrane sweep, which is an internal examination of the cervix. During this examination your midwife will insert the tip of her finger into your cervix and sweep around the bag of membranes that cover your baby’s head. This has been shown to release hormones that may encourage labour to start within 24 hours. Sometimes the cervix isn’t yet open, and a sweep isn’t possible. You may be invited to return for more sweeps.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Your midwife will also offer you a date to have your labour induced. This is normally recommended by 41 weeks and three, four or five days (depending on your maternity units guidelines and availability). Some maternity units are able to offer complementary therapy to encourage labour to start naturally. Ask your midwife about this.</span>
<div class="relatedlinks" data-cat="relatedlinks"><a type="nhs" href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/over-40-weeks-pregnant-overdue/">If your baby is overdue</a></div>

When pregnancy goes beyond your due date

<h1>Assisted birth</h1>
<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1146" src="https://admin.mumandbaby.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/2.3.jpg" alt="Smiling pregnant woman in hospital bed has her hand held by a midwife" width="650" height="406" />
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Assistance with labour and birth may be recommended either:</span>
<ul>
<li>prior to your due date</li>
<li>for medical reasons</li>
<li>when you go beyond your due date; or</li> 
<li>during labour.</li>
</ul>
<div class="submenu" data-cat="submenu">

<a href="https://admin.mumandbaby.uk/2018/08/23/when-pregnancy-goes-beyond-your-due-date/">When pregnancy goes beyond your due date</a>

<a href="https://admin.mumandbaby.uk/2018/08/17/induction-of-labour/">Induction of labour</a>

<a href="https://admin.mumandbaby.uk/2018/08/17/interventions-in-labour/">Interventions in labour</a>

</div>
<div class="relatedlinks" data-cat="relatedlinks">

<a href="https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/labour-birth/assisted-birth" type="tommy's">Assisted birth</a>

<a href="https://www.which.co.uk/birth-choice/safety-and-interventions/inductions-and-interventions-in-labour" type="which">Induction and interventions</a>

<a href="https://www.birthrights.org.uk/factsheets/consenting-to-treatment/">Consent: the key facts - Birthrights</a>

</div>

COOKIE SETTINGS

MANAGE COOKIE PREFERENCE

Assisted birth

When pregnancy goes beyond your due date

Induction of labour

Interventions in labour

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