Induction of Labour – New Guidelines

Induction of labour should be offered to women as a choice and not as something that they must have, new guidelines have recommended.

The guidelines were issued by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) and the National Collaborating Centre for Women’s and Children’s Health last week. It recommends that midwives and doctors provide women with evidence-based information on induction so that women can make informed decisions that are right for them and their baby.

One of the key recommendations in the guide is that all women be informed that in most cases labour begins spontaneously by 42 weeks. At the 38 week antenatal visit, women should be offered information about the risks associated with pregnancies that last longer than 42 weeks, and their options. Women with uncomplicated pregnancies should be offered induction of labour at 41 - 42 weeks to avoid the risks of prolonged pregnancy.

Under the guide healthcare professionals are now required to explain the following points to women being offered induction:

• The reasons why induction is being offered
• When, where and how the induction would be carried out
• The arrangements for support and pain relief
• Alternative options if the woman chooses not to have induction of labour
• Explanation of different induction methods and their risks and benefits
• That induction may not be successful and what the woman’s options will be.

“These guidelines will be very reassuring to women as they make it clear that induction is not something they must have but something that can be ‘offered’ by their doctor or midwife. Importantly, the guideline recognises that many women want to go into labour naturally without being induced,” said Richard Tubman, Consultant Neonatologist and Guideline Development Group member.

The full guidelines are available at www.nice.org.uk/CG70.

Posted Thursday 14th August 2008