Inducing Labour

Book excerpt: When is it better to induce labour than to let a woman's body or baby decide the best time for birth? What are the pros and cons of waiting and of being induced? What about after the due date? When the baby is thought to be bigger than average? When the woman is older? If she had IVF? Or when her waters have broken earlier than usual? Induction of labour is an increasingly common recommendation and more and more women find themselves having to decide whether to let their body and baby go into labour spontaneously or agree to medical intervention. This book explains the process of induction of labour and shares information from research studies, debates and women's, midwives' and doctors' experiences to help women and families become more informed and make the decision that is right for them.