You’ve been counting the weeks, tracking baby’s kicks, and folding and refolding those teeny tiny onesies. And the longer your pregnancy goes on, the more likely your midwife or doctor might bring up labour induction to help things along. But what exactly happens when labour gets a helping hand? How long does it take? Is it more painful? Let’s walk through the step-by-step of labour induction—so you can head into hospital feeling clued-up and confident.

So, what is labour induction?

Labour induction is the process of stimulating the uterus to start contractions before labour begins on its own. The goal? A safe vaginal birth for you and your bub—just like spontaneous labour, with a bit of assistance.

Why might my care team recommend an induction?

Your midwife or obstetrician may suggest an induction when the benefits of delivering sooner outweigh the reasons to wait. Common reasons include:

How does labour induction work?

There are a few different ways your care team might help nudge things along—depending on how ready your cervix is and how your body responds. Here’s a step-by-step of what induction usually involves, based on RANZCOG's Clinical Guidelines.

Step 1: The pre-labour check

Your midwife or doctor will first check your cervix to see if it’s “favourable” using something called the Bishop Score. This scoring system (out of 13) rates things like how open your cervix is, how soft and thin it feels, and how low your baby’s head is sitting. A low score (under 6) means your body may need more time or help to get things going.

  • Dilation: Is your cervix already opening up?
  • Effacement: Has your cervix started thinning out?
  • Station: How low is bub’s head sitting in your pelvis?
  • Position: Is your cervix pointing forward or still tucked back?
  • Consistency: Is your cervix softening or still firm?

Step 2: Ripening the cervix

If your cervix needs a bit of prep before contractions can start, your team may suggest one of the following:

  • Balloon catheter (Foley): A small balloon is placed into the cervix and gently inflated to encourage it to open. You may feel cramping or pressure. Sometimes you’ll stay in hospital, other times you may be allowed to head home overnight.
  • Prostaglandins: Medications placed near the cervix to soften it and possibly kick off contractions. These might be given as a gel, pessary (like a tampon), or tablet. You might feel mild cramps or tummy upset.

Step 3: Starting contractions

Once your cervix is soft and a little open, your team will likely try to bring on steady contractions using one or more of the following:

  • Oxytocin (Syntocinon) drip: A synthetic version of the hormone your body naturally makes during labour. It’s given through a drip and carefully adjusted to encourage regular, strong contractions.
  • Breaking your waters (amniotomy): A small tool is used to gently break the sac holding your waters, which can help contractions along.
  • Membrane sweep: This is sometimes done before full induction. Your midwife or doctor will gently sweep a finger around the cervix to help release natural hormones that encourage labour to start.

Step 4: Monitoring

While you're being induced, both you and baby will be closely monitored to make sure everything is progressing safely. This usually includes:

  • Tracking bub’s heartbeat
  • Monitoring the strength and timing of your contractions
  • Checking your vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, and so on)

You may be offered pain relief like gas and air, morphine, or an epidural depending on your preferences and how labour is progressing.

Step 5: Active labour and birth

Once your cervix is fully dilated (10 cm) and your baby has moved down, it’s time to push! For first-time mums, pushing can last anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of hours. If labour slows or baby becomes distressed, your team may suggest an assisted birth using forceps, vacuum, or a Caesarean section.

How long does induction take?

It varies! If your cervix is already showing signs of readiness, labour might start within a few hours. But if your body needs more help to get things going, it could take 1 to 2 days—especially if you’re having a balloon catheter or prostaglandin first.

What if induction doesn’t work?

Sometimes labour just doesn’t get going—even after a full induction attempt. If that happens, your care team may:

  • Pause the induction and try again later
  • Recommend a Caesarean section if it’s safer for you or your baby
  • In non-urgent situations, send you home to rest and try again in a day or two

It’s called a “failed induction,” but don’t let the name throw you. Every pregnancy is different, and not going into labour after an induction says nothing about your strength or your body’s ability to birth. What matters most is getting you and bub through safely.

Tips for a smoother induction

  • Pack some patience: Bring entertainment and snacks. It can be a long haul!
  • Ask about eating and drinking: Light snacks may be okay early on—check your hospital’s policy.
  • Keep moving: If it’s safe, walking, rocking, or bouncing on a birth ball can help progress things.
  • Use comfort techniques: Music, massage, breathing, and white noise can all help calm nerves and ease discomfort.

The bottom line

Labour induction can sound a bit clinical—but it’s ultimately about supporting your body and baby through a safe birth. Understanding the steps ahead of time helps you make informed decisions and feel more in control on the big day. Whether your baby arrives with a little encouragement or completely on their own schedule, you’ve got this!

And once baby’s here, don’t forget to plan for those early nights. Our SNOO Smart Sleeper is designed to help soothe bub to sleep safely—so everyone gets a little more rest.

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Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider. Breastmilk is the best source of nutrition for babies. It is important that, in preparation for and during breastfeeding, mothers eat a healthy, balanced diet. Combined breast- and bottle-feeding in the first weeks of life may reduce the supply of a mother's breastmilk and reversing the decision not to breastfeed is difficult. If you do decide to use infant formula, you should follow instructions carefully.