Mitcham Maternity Childbirth and Parent Education 25
Induction of labour
Reasons for induction of labour (IOL)
Your obstetrician may recommend induction of labour if there are concerns
for the safety of you or your baby, including:
• Pre-eclampsia
• Kidney disease, a heart condition or other medical conditions
• Diabetes
• If the baby is not being adequately nourished by the placenta
• You are overdue (seven to 10 days past your due date)
Disadvantages of induction of labour
• A more painful labour may be expected
• There may be an increased requirement for pethidine or epidural
• If labour does not progress, there is an increased risk of caesarean section
If Syntocinon infusion is required, you will be continuously monitored on a CTG
machine to observe the effects of the induction process on the baby.
Methods of induction of labour
• Prostin gel
• Cervadil pessary
• Artificial Rupture of Membranes (ARM)
• Syntocinon infusion
Prostin gel is an artificial form of the hormone prostaglandin, which is administered
vaginally to soften or “ripen” the cervix. One dose is usually administered late in the
evening, with one or two further doses administered four to six hours later.
Cervadil Pessary may be used instead of Prostin gel. One dose is usually
administered in the evening.
Artificial Rupture of Membranes (ARM) involves performing a vaginal examination and
gently breaking the membranes with an amnihook or amnicot to break the waters.
This releases the amniotic fluid in front of the baby’s head (the forewaters) and allows
the head to sit more firmly on the cervix with the aim of initiating or increasing the
strength of contractions.
If regular contractions are not initiated within a few hours a Syntocinon infusion
may be commenced. Syntocinon is an artificial form of the hormone oxytocin, and
is administered via an intravenous line.
Induction of labour is used to initiate labour. A labour that has already started
spontaneously may be augmented (stimulated/) using ARM and/or Syntocinon infusion.
Your obstetrician may
recommend induction
of labour if there are
concerns for the safety
of you or your baby.