Maternity, Birth Physiology, Pregnancy, Birth Mapping, Labour & Birth Brittney Blakeney Maternity, Birth Physiology, Pregnancy, Birth Mapping, Labour & Birth Brittney Blakeney

15 Questions You Should Ask About Medical Induction

Heard induction mentioned? Here’s an intro to induction babes… the 15 questions you can’t NOT ask when discussing induction.

Most pregnant women in Australia will be offered to book an induction of sorts at some point, whether it be for a medical indication or because it suits your practitioner’s schedule.

Here are some questions that you can ask during pregnancy (before the induction talk starts) and in the later weeks when you are faced with real pressure to book an induction….

In pregnancy:

The answers to these questions can help you firstly research what you need to research to work effectively with your hospital or doctor or help you make the choice to change birth place if you need somewhere more aligned with your values.

  1. What are your rates of induction?

  2. What reasons would you recommend induction?

  3. What methods of induction do you use primarily?

  4. What is recommended to accompany my induction if I choose to be induced? I.e. Continuous fetal monitoring, cannula insertion?

  5. If I decide to decline induction, can I expect the same care from you?

  6. Can I request an induction, and if so at what gestation?

When you are offered induction:

It is your right as a woman to have answers to all the questions you need before booking anything. If not medically urgent (which is extremely rare), you can even ask for a couple of days to think it over, do your own personal research and perhaps get a second opinion before you make a decision. Some great questions to ask to help you research…

7. For what reason specifically are you recommending induction? If because of a test or scans, can I please have a copy of my results?

8. Is my baby currently well? Am I currently well?

9. What are the risks of the individual forms of induction you are recommending?

10. Is there an alternative to induction?

If you are preparing for an induction:

If you choose to have an induction, there are lots of choices that you can make. Here are some great questions to ask - to know what all your options are and to find out the exact process wherever you are birthing…

11. What methods of induction do you recommend using, and in what order?

12. What does each method of induction involve, and are there time limits on each method?

13. Is there a time-limiting policy on my labour once my waters are broken?

14. Can my partner or doula stay with me during the entire induction process?

15. If I no longer want to continue the induction process, can I choose a Caesarean instead?




As medical induction is related to increased pain and a higher risk of instrumental birth, some women may choose to have a planned caesarean instead of an induction - a reason that is totally valid!

There are ways to plan a beautiful and positive induction though… by optimising your hormones and working with the methods that are being used. A doula can help you plan and support a positive induction, and help your partner get involved too!

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