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Inducing labour means that we don’t wait for your labour to start naturally |
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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 |
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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 |
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Research shows the risk of stillbirth increases slightly with each week past 40 weeks – but the risk is low overall |
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1 baby in every 1000 babies may be stillborn at 40 weeks |
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6 babies in every 1000 babies may be stillborn at 43 weeks |
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We may recommend inducing labour to lower this risk |
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Risk factors include
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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 |
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We may need to use medical equipment which could damage the area around your vagina (perineum) |
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An induced birth maybe more painful |
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You may need to stay longer in hospital |
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TimingAlmost all labours start within 42 weeks so delaying induction may make a natural labour possible |
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Delay after 42 weeks makes a caesarean birth more likely |
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Membrane sweepThere 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 |
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This does not affect your chances of needing a caesarean or assisted birth |
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If you choose not to be inducedIf you prefer not to be induced, we will talk about this with you |
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We will support you with closer monitoring, sometimes called expectant management – this may include extra hospital appointments and scans |
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These scans can’t tell us the risks of stillbirth – they can only tell us how everything is at the time of the scan |
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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 |
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You can change your mind any time |
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This will include having a planned caesarean rather than an induction |
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Maternal Foetal Assessment Unit (MFAU) |
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We are an emergency service for women more than 14 weeks pregnant |
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We are open all year round, 24 hours a day |
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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 |
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If you can’t call, just come in |
Services
Page last updated: 24 September 2025
Review due: 01 September 2027