Information alert

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Inducing_labour_when_baby_overdue_EasyRead_1.png Inducing labour means that we don’t wait for your labour to start naturally
Inducing_labour_when_baby_overdue_EasyRead_2.png It’s up to you whether you agree to induction (having your labour induced)
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Risks for a baby of being overdue

Inducing_labour_when_baby_overdue_EasyRead_4.png When your pregnancy goes over 41 weeks, there is a very small risk of the baby being stillborn – this means your baby will not be alive when it’s born
Inducing_labour_when_baby_overdue_EasyRead_5.png Research shows the risk of stillbirth increases slightly with each week past 40 weeks – but the risk is low overall
Inducing_labour_when_baby_overdue_EasyRead_6.png 1 baby in every 1000 babies may be stillborn at 40 weeks
Inducing_labour_when_baby_overdue_EasyRead_7.png 6 babies in every 1000 babies may be stillborn at 43 weeks
Inducing_labour_when_baby_overdue_EasyRead_8.png We may recommend inducing labour to lower this risk
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Risk factors include

  • being overweight
  • your ethnic background
  • your own medical history
  • if it’s an IVF pregnancy
  • and your age
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Plusses and minuses of having an induction

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Plusses (Pros)

Inducing labour at 41 weeks gives you a good chance of having a vaginal delivery and reduces the chances of the baby needing intensive care

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Minuses (Cons)

Birth options will be reduced – it is less likely you will be able to have a home birth, use a birthing pool or give birth in a midwife-led birth centre

Inducing_labour_when_baby_overdue_EasyRead_13.png We may need to use medical equipment which could damage the area around your vagina (perineum)
Inducing_labour_when_baby_overdue_EasyRead_14.png An induced birth maybe more painful
Inducing_labour_when_baby_overdue_EasyRead_15.png You may need to stay longer in hospital
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Timing

Almost all labours start within 42 weeks so delaying induction may make a natural labour possible

Inducing_labour_when_baby_overdue_EasyRead_17.png Delay after 42 weeks makes a caesarean birth more likely
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Membrane sweep

There is an informal induction method called membrane sweep used at 40 or 41 weeks – this makes it a bit more likely that labour will start on its own

Inducing_labour_when_baby_overdue_EasyRead_19.png This does not affect your chances of needing a caesarean or assisted birth
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If you choose not to be induced

If you prefer not to be induced, we will talk about this with you

Inducing_labour_when_baby_overdue_EasyRead_21.png We will support you with closer monitoring, sometimes called expectant management – this may include extra hospital appointments and scans
Inducing_labour_when_baby_overdue_EasyRead_22.png These scans can’t tell us the risks of stillbirth – they can only tell us how everything is at the time of the scan
Inducing_labour_when_baby_overdue_EasyRead_23.png You may want to go ahead with your original birth plan – if so, we will support you here with a special plan made with a consultant doctor or consultant midwife
Inducing_labour_when_baby_overdue_EasyRead_24.png You can change your mind any time
Inducing_labour_when_baby_overdue_EasyRead_25.png This will include having a planned caesarean rather than an induction
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Maternal Foetal Assessment Unit (MFAU)

Inducing_labour_when_baby_overdue_EasyRead_27.png We are an emergency service for women more than 14 weeks pregnant
Inducing_labour_when_baby_overdue_EasyRead_28.png We are open all year round, 24 hours a day
Inducing_labour_when_baby_overdue_EasyRead_29.png You will find us in the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson (EGA) building on level 1
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You can call us on 020 34 47 94 00
(press option 2 when asked)

Inducing_labour_when_baby_overdue_EasyRead_31.png If you can’t call, just come in

Page last updated: 24 September 2025

Review due: 01 September 2027