Inducing Labour: making informed decisions

by Sara Wickham

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.

Genres: Nonfiction

189 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 10, 2018

Reviews

[Kim Osterholzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inducing Labor is an in-depth look at yet another topic nearly every woman will be faced with through the course of her childbearing years and, because "the research evidence does not always support the idea that it is better to intervene, and things are not always as clear-cut as some sources of information might suggest," this is an essential resource indeed.

Inducing Labor begins with a discussion of the miraculous dance between mother and unborn child that is the process of birth naturally occurring birth.

Sara moves on to provide a thorough examination of the risks and benefits enmeshed within the variety of methods used to induce labor, including the stretch of the cervix and sweep of the membranes, the administration of synthetic prostiglandin, the administration of misoprostol or cytotec, the insertion of foley catheters and laminaria tents or sticks, the rupture of membranes, and the administration of pitocin.

Sara then cites and expounds upon the circumstances that inspire recommendations for induction, including "prolonged" pregnancy, "prolonged" rupture of membranes, babies that appear small or large for gestational age, "advanced" maternal age, and the conundrum of "clinical complexity."

She also leads us on an exploration of the times induction is questionable or contraindicated but may still be recommended, including twin gestation, breech presentation, pregnancies achieved via artificial reproductive technology, fetal demise, VBAC, gestational diabetes, insulin-dependent diabetes, reduced fetal movements, and maternal request.

Sara concludes her wonderful book with a discussion of the various modes of "natural" induction and a list of six questions to carefully consider regarding the induction of labor.

I highly recommend this excellent book!

[Lucy Darby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Should be essential reading for anyone planning to have a baby and all healthcare practitioners working in maternity services! Love the way Dr Sara states the facts at a relatable and understandable level and doesn't cast any judgement. The chapters are easily split into categories depending on the reason given for induction so it would translate well into information sheets or a website for people looking for information quickly.

[Sarah Waqas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful

I found this book gave me more information than I have found elsewhere and more information than my midwife gave me about the choice to have an induction or give baby more time to come naturally.

[Katelin Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative, I recommend it to anyone who is likely to be induced or is thinking of an elective induction. Really gives complete insight into what will take place and what your options are. Evidence based.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reliable information & written clearly.

[Heather Chu · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very helpful read offering information and evidence which I wasn't offered by my midwife or hospital consultant even when I asked so I feel more able to make an informed decision