Inducing Labour

Lots of women and families have questions about induction of labour. These days, it is offered in so many situations, but is the evidence really there?

Inducing Labour: making informed decisions is the second edition of Sara’s bestselling book which has helped countless parents, professionals and others to understand the process and the evidence relating to induction of labour.

Get your copy here:

Amazon   Waterstones   Wordery   GBBS

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Please note: Sara has written two books about induction. This page is about Inducing Labour: making informed decisions. You may also be interested in In Your Own Time: how western medicine controls the start of labour and why this needs to stop. Find out the difference here.

What’s it all about?

Induction of labour is an increasingly common recommendation. More and more women find themselves having to decide whether to let their body and baby go into labour spontaneously or agree to medical intervention. But parents have lots of questions…

When is it better to induce labour than to let a woman’s body or baby decide the best time for birth?

What are the pros and cons of waiting and of being induced?

What is the process of induction and why can it sometimes take days to get going?

Is my baby really in danger after their due date?

What about when the baby is thought to be bigger than average? When the woman is older? If she had IVF? Or when her waters have broken earlier than usual?

Inducing Labour: making informed decisions explains the process of induction of labour and shares information from research studies, debates and women’s, midwives’ and doctors’ experiences to help women and families become more informed and make the decision that is right for them.

You can read the first few pages of Inducing labour: making informed decisions here.

Please be aware that previous (AIMS) editions of this book are now out-of-date and contain information that is no longer correct. Make sure you’re reading the version with the stork on the cover!

Get your copy here:

Amazon   Waterstones   Wordery   GBBS

Kindle   Kobo   Apple   Other retailers

You can also order Inducing Labour from your local indie bookshop, the IBSN is 978-1-999806439.

*We have affiliate accounts with some of these retailers. Any profit goes to the Birth Information Project.

What are people saying?

“Excellent book from the fabulous Sara Wickham. Evidence-based and easy to read, it covers all aspects of induction of labour. Every pregnant woman, plus every health professional working in maternity services should read this!” – EMJ

“Just finished reading this absolute treasure trove. Those that know Dr Sara Wickham’s work won’t be surprised to hear that I give it a HUGE thumbs up. Whilst this is a book FULL TO THE BRIM with research, 18 pages worth listed together at the end of the book, Sara keeps it jargon free. She tells us that no one size fits all as she takes us through different induction techniques and their rationale. What I love is that she makes us think about the quality of the research and how different people might interpret it. She leaves all the decision making in the reader’s hands. This book neither pushes you towards, nor away from induction. An easy read of a complex topic. But the ease of reading doesn’t take away from the in depth analysis.” – Mars Lord, Activist and Educator.

What’s new?

This second edition has been substantially expanded and updated with new and changed evidence.

Three new chapters have been added:

(1) The evidence, in which Sara discusses the induction and caesarean section debate, the ARRIVE trial and the debate on placental insufficiency;

(2) Induction of labour in older women;

(3) Making decisions about induction.

There are also expanded sections on:

Induction for small or large babies.

Induction in women who have had IVF and other ARTs.

And induction for reduced fetal movement.

About the Author

Dr Sara Wickham is an author, educator, and researcher. She has more than 25 years experience as a midwife and educator and her first book was published in 2001.

Sara is now the author or editor of eighteen books and has edited three midwifery journals. She provides in-person and online educational and consultancy services for midwifery, medical and health-related practitioners and organisations around the world.

Looking for my induction of labour resources hub?

Find it here.

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