What happens in labour
Stages of labour
There are three stages of labour. Throughout the three stages we would encourage mobility and being upright if possible. Your baby’s heart will be monitored throughout labour.
Watch the video: The Uterus in Action
Overdue pregnancies
Most will go into labour spontaneously between 37-42 weeks of pregnancy. However, evidence has shown that there are some risks associated with a pregnancy continuing beyond 41+0 weeks (NICE guidance for ‘Inducing Labour’, 2021) and these may increase over time, to include:
- increased likelihood of caesarean birth
- increased likelihood of the baby needing admission to a neonatal intensive care unit
- increased likelihood of stillbirth and neonatal death
Induction of labour from 41+0 weeks may reduce these risks, but women will also need to consider the impact of induction on their birth experience when making their decision.
Induction is always planned in advance, so you will be able to talk over the benefits and disadvantages with your midwife or obstetrician and find out why they recommend your labour is induced.
After your due date you may be offered a ‘membrane sweep’, if this is suitable for you. This involves having a vaginal examination, which stimulates the neck of your uterus (known as the cervix) to produce hormones which may trigger spontaneous labour. It is your choice whether you have this procedure or not.
Induction of labour
An Induction of labour will be suggested to you if your baby is overdue, your waters break early, or if there is any sort of risk to you or your baby’s health – for example, if you have high blood pressure, or if your baby has shown restricted growth on ultrasound scanning.
There are two main ways labour can be induced:
- Hormones can be placed near to your cervix, using a vaginal tablet (pessary)
- Devices such as balloon catheter can be used to soften and ripen your cervix.
You’ll most likely be offered hormones first to see if they work, unless there’s a medical reason you cannot take hormones.
It can take many hours for these treatments to start working. You will usually stay in the hospital maternity unit, though you may be able to go home in some cases depending on the type of Induction that is most suitable for you.
Sometimes a hormone drip is needed to help stimulate the labour. You may also need to have your waters broken artificially.
Occasionally, the induction may not be a success, and labour may not start. Your obstetrician and midwife will assess your condition and your baby’s wellbeing. You may be offered another method of induction or a caesarean section, or you may be able to wait a few hours and then be assessed again.
Your midwife and doctor will discuss all your options with you.
Inducing labour – NHS
Inducing Labour: Reasons, Methods & Side Effects | Tommy’s
Chapter 9 – The Pregnancy Book | HSC Public Health Agency
Labour Pains – Information on pain relief choices during labour
If you have decided to proceed with an induction, or you are booked for a planned caesarean birth, your midwife or obstetrician will order this at your antenatal appointment.
The Birthing Suite will then make contact with you within 72hrs to book your slot and provide you with details of where and when to go to hospital. This date and time may need to be changed on occasions to accommodate birth suite workflow. If the Maternity Unit do not contact you within this timeframe, please telephone the Birthing Suite on 028 9442 4167.
The My Care Patient Portal app is now available. This app gives you access to your online patient record and appointments. You may receive notifications about your planned induction or caesarean birth, however, you will also receive a phone call from the scheduling team to confirm details.
Skin to skin contact
When your baby is born try to have skin to skin contact with your baby as soon as possible after the birth. This will:
- keep your baby warm and calm
- help regulate breathing and heartbeat
- release mothering hormones to help with bonding and attachment.
This is an opportunity to initiate feeding.
UNICEF: The importance of skin to skin
KidCare Canada: Paediatrican Interview
Every birth is unique. Some labours progress quickly, others don’t. Unnecessary medical interventions should be avoided if the woman and her baby are in a good condition.
