*commencing at Liverpool Women’s Hospital on Monday 4th December 2017
Induction of labour is becoming increasingly common for a wide range of reasons. Our previous methods of induction were less efficient and offered little choice for women.
The new induction process at Liverpool Women’s Hospital will reduce waiting times; increase the chance of normal birth for those who have had a previous caesarean and means women can start the induction process in the comfort of their own homes.
Inpatient induction of labour
If you are a high risk woman and require induction to help start labour the hormone pessary will be placed in the vagina near the neck of the womb for up to 24 hours and you will stay in hospital to await labour. The change to this drug will help to bring labour on quicker.
Outpatient induction of labour
If you are a low risk woman and require induction to help start labour the hormone pessary will be placed in the vagina near the neck of the womb, you will then go home to await labour. If labour has not happened within 24 hours we will review you in hospital.
This method is safe and has been used for several years for low risk women; and will now be offered to more.
If labour starts whilst at home you may even deliver on the Midwife Led Unit (MLU) or have a pool birth.
Induction of labour with ruptured membranes
If your waters go and you do not have contractions you will now be offered up to 24 hours to await labour or immediate induction of labour. If you choose to be induced you will go home with a hormone pessary in the vagina for up to 24 hours. If labour starts whilst at home you may even be suitable to deliver on the MLU or have a pool birth.
Induction of labour following previous Caesarean Section
A new technique is used to stretch the neck of the womb with a soft balloon, rather than the use of hormones to start labour. This is useful for women with a previous scar from a caesarean section; it reduces the chance of the scar breaking during labour. As contractions are not being started off we will let you go home and come back in 24 hours.
We believe these changes to how your labour is induced will be more effective and promote a more normal labour process.
If you have any questions on your induction of labour please speak with your midwife.