Induced labour

The days after your due date drag. But giving birth plus or minus 14 days around the estimated date of delivery is totally normal. (Everybody knows that, but we all hope otherwise.) Just 10 per cent of births occur on the due date. But that is no consolation when the days drag on and you’re officially on overtime.

Check-ups
Your LMC will be checking you regularly now, at least once a week. They will be checking to see that the baby is OK and will decide whether the baby is well enough to continue waiting, or if it's time to book an induction date.

Many reasons to induce labour
Labour induction isn’t only given to women who are overdue. For example, labour might be induced if the waters break before contractions start, or if there are pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia.

Ways to induce labour
These are the most common methods used:
1. A pessary containing hormones (prostaglandin tablet) is inserted into the vagina. This softens the cervix and starts off labour.
2. A hormone drip (oxytocin), which starts off labour.
3. Breaking the membrane around the baby so that the waters are released. An induced labour can take time. By no means do all mothers give birth on the same day labour is induced. So don’t be disappointed if you have to wait a little longer…