{"id":1863,"date":"2025-09-03T12:11:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-03T11:11:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/?page_id=1863"},"modified":"2025-09-03T14:05:31","modified_gmt":"2025-09-03T13:05:31","slug":"induction-of-labour","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/all-about-birth\/induction-of-labour\/","title":{"rendered":"Induction of Labour"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Find out what you want to know about induction of labour in NHS Lothian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-vimeo wp-block-embed-vimeo wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Induction of Labour - what you need to know\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/1072165449?h=568f0460cd&amp;dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963\" width=\"1520\" height=\"855\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Induction of labour: what you need to know<\/em>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In most pregnancies, labour is a process which starts on its own between 37 and 42 weeks of pregnancy. Sometimes it is considered safer to start labour artificially sooner\u2013 this process is called induction of labour. In NHS Lothian between 25% and 30% of women are induced (1 in 3 or 4 women). In Scotland as a whole around 35 % of women are induced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In NHS Lothian, following an induction there are around:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>50% vaginal births (1 in 2)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>30% unplanned caesarean births (1 in 3)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>20% assisted birth &#8211; ventouse or forceps (1 in 5)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>NICE (National Institute for Health &amp; Care Excellence) publishes national guidelines for clinical care. To access the guidelines on induction of labour, visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nice.org.uk\/guidance\/ng207\">NICE website at www.nice.org.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rcog.org.uk\/for-the-public\/browse-our-patient-information\/considering-a-caesarean-birth\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"580\" height=\"798\" src=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-02-163324.png\" alt=\"Screenshot 2025 09 02 163324\" class=\"wp-image-4860 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-02-163324.png 580w, https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-02-163324-218x300.png 218w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>If you&#8217;re considering a caesarean birth, this resource from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) offers clear, evidence-based information to support your decision-making. Please see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rcog.org.uk\/for-the-public\/browse-our-patient-information\/considering-a-caesarean-birth\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the full RCOG guide on caesarean birth<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>When you are offered an induction of labour, your midwife will be happy to discuss your options and will give you this leaflet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div data-wp-interactive=\"core\/file\" class=\"wp-block-file\"><object data-wp-bind--hidden=\"!state.hasPdfPreview\" hidden class=\"wp-block-file__embed\" data=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/12\/23_08_04_IOL_shortened_leaflet_LOT270_v3.2.pdf\" type=\"application\/pdf\" style=\"width:100%;height:600px\" aria-label=\"Embed of DOWNLOAD: Induction of Labour Leaflet .\"><\/object><a id=\"wp-block-file--media-d9df2c20-f188-4498-ab34-5af128a2d3bc\" href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/12\/23_08_04_IOL_shortened_leaflet_LOT270_v3.2.pdf\">DOWNLOAD: Induction of Labour Leaflet <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/12\/23_08_04_IOL_shortened_leaflet_LOT270_v3.2.pdf\" class=\"wp-block-file__button wp-element-button\" download aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-d9df2c20-f188-4498-ab34-5af128a2d3bc\">Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>This section was developed by NHS Lothian Maternity Services in collaboration with parents and the Lothian Maternity Voices Partnership. This page was last updated on 31st July 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A step-by-step guide to your Induction of Labour<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/all-about-birth\/induction-of-labour\/why-is-an-induction-offered\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Why is an induction offered?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/all-about-birth\/induction-of-labour\/what-happens-during-an-induction\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">What happens during an induction?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/all-about-birth\/induction-of-labour\/helping-you-make-a-decision\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Helping you make a Decision<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/all-about-birth\/induction-of-labour\/can-i-be-at-home-during-induction\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Can I be at home during induction?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/all-about-birth\/induction-of-labour\/induction-practical-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Induction \u2013 Practical Tips<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/all-about-birth\/induction-of-labour\/induction-of-labour-faqs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Induction of Labour FAQs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/all-about-birth\/induction-of-labour\/ten-ways-to-a-positive-birth-with-induction\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ten ways to a positive birth with induction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/all-about-birth\/induction-of-labour\/what-do-women-say-about-their-induction\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">What do women say about their induction?<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Find out what you want to know about induction of labour in NHS Lothian. In most pregnancies, labour is a process which starts on its own between 37 and 42 weeks of pregnancy. Sometimes it is considered safer to start labour artificially sooner&ndash; this process is called induction of labour. In NHS Lothian between 25%<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":158,"featured_media":0,"parent":539,"menu_order":6,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"class_list":["post-1863","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"mathildepeace","author_link":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/author\/mathildepeace\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":false,"rttpg_excerpt":"Find out what you want to know about induction of labour in NHS Lothian. In most pregnancies, labour is a process which starts on its own between 37 and 42 weeks of pregnancy. Sometimes it is considered safer to start labour artificially sooner&ndash; this process is called induction of labour. In NHS Lothian between 25%","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1863","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/158"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1863"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1863\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4875,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1863\/revisions\/4875"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/539"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1863"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1863"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}