Labour induction is the use of medication or other methods to bring on labour. It is used when there is increased risk to either the mother or baby to continue with the pregnancy. For instance high blood pressure in the mother or poor growth of the baby may lead a physician to recommend induction. Either inpatient (stay in hospital) or outpatient (sent home) induction would be recommended.

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As an inpatient you will be induced in the hospital and stay in the hospital. As an outpatient you will be induced at the hospital but then sent home.The location of induction (inpatient or outpatient) depends on the clinical situation. More urgent or severe situations warrant inpatient inductions. Also close monitoring of mother or baby requires inpatient induction.

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A request for induction is sent to the hospital by our office. If the request is for an inpatient induction you will receive a phone call from the hospital when a bed is available. This could happen the same day the request is made or it may take several days and is all dependent on priority as well as availability of hospital beds/resources. 

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If the request is for an outpatient induction you will also receive a call from the hospital when there is an opening. It may take up to 48 hours after a request is made to get a call as again it is dependent on priority and hospital beds/resources. At the hospital you will have a NST (Non stress test- listening of the fetal heart beat for half an hour) and then an obstetrical resident doctor will assess your cervix and decide which method will be used to induce labour. Your baby will be monitored again after the procedure  and if everything is well you will go home and wait for labour to begin when you will then return to the hospital.

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For further information on the process and the methods used please click here:

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