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As the end of your pregnancy nears, your internal genitalia/cervix (the opening to your uterus) normally becomes soft and begins to open and thin in preparation for labour and birth. When labour does not naturally start on its own and birth needs to happen soon due to you and/or your baby's well being, labour can be started artificially and this is called an induction. Labour induction may be recommended if you are past your due date, you have a medical condition (i.e., high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.) or if the health of you or your baby is at risk for other reasons. This process can be done using several methods depending on the advice of your health care provider. The resources below will provide you with more information on situations where labour may need to be induced, methods of labour induction, and the benefits and risks associated.
- Association of Ontario Midwives - When your pregnancy goes past your due date
- Association of Ontario Midwives - In due time... pregnancy beyond 40 and induction of labour (Also available in Spanish, Arabic, Farsi, and Simplified Chinese)
- HealthyFamiliesBC - Induction during labour and birth
- Government of Alberta - Labour induction and augmentation
- Public Health Agency of Canada - Induction of Labour
- HealthLinkBC - Labour Induction and Augmentation
- Pregnancy Info - Induction
- Association of Ontario Midwives - Management of the Uncomplicated Pregnancy Beyond 41+0 Weeks Gestation
- Association of Ontario Midwives - When your pregnancy goes past your due date
- Association of Ontario Midwives - Client Handouts
- Today's Parent - Guide to labour induction: What to expect if you're getting induced