Reasons for an induction

Advice on the most common reasons for inducing labour during pregnancy.

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Being induced > Reasons for an induction

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Induction is the process of bringing about labour before it spontaneously occurs. About one fifth of pregnancies are induced. You will be offered an induction of labour if your obstetrician or midwife who is caring for you feels that either you, your baby, or both of you, would be safer if your baby were born. There are several reasons why this may happen and it is important to understand why your doctor or midwife is suggesting induction.

The most common reasons for inducing labour are:

• A pregnancy well past its due date (post-maturity)



• Maternal high blood pressure/pre-eclampsia



• Waters breaking before contractions start



• Multiple births



• Gestational diabetes



• Slowed growth of the baby