Many women will start labour naturally. Some women may need a little help. The process of "induction" is starting contractions before they occur on their own. Your doctor will discuss with you the reason for your induction.
You may be asked to come to the Birthing Centre the day or evening before your induction, depending on the condition of your cervix. Your cervix is checked by vaginal exam. At this time, you may be started on a prostaglandin or have a foley catheter used to prepare your cervix.
Your health care provider will discuss these methods with you. After the procedure is done, you will stay in the assessment area for one to two hours of monitoring and then the doctor will decide if you can go home.
If you go home, your nurse will provide you with information about when to return to hospital. If labour begins after you go home, you should come back to the Birthing Centre for reassessment. If your labour does not start at home, you will be called about a time to come back to begin your induction. Please eat light meals and drink lots of fluids before your induction.
Please understand that we cannot give you an exact appointment time because we do not know how many women will arrive in labour at any time of day. You may receive a call from 6:30 am onward and into the evening. If you have to wait, it may be difficult for you and your family. We will make every effort to bring you in for your induction as soon as possible.
Once you are back in the hospital, the breaking of your "water" (breaking the sac of amniotic fluid around your baby), or use of prostaglandin, or oxytocin (these are synthetic hormones, like your natural hormones) may start your labour. After this procedure, or if this medication is started, you will likely stay at the hospital until you have your baby.
Ask your doctor or midwife for more information or see our LHSC patient handout on induction. Click here: Your Labour is Going to be Induced
