Half of first-time mothers in Irish hospitals have labour induced 

The rate of induction among first-time mothers was 71.4% in one hospital. File picture/PA

At least half of first-time mothers in Irish hospitals have their labour induced, with the rate reaching 71.4% in one hospital.

Induction is starting a woman’s labour artificially, either with drugs or manually, and new data from Irish maternity hospitals has revealed it is becoming increasingly common. 

The Irish findings echo those of a study on English maternity hospitals where similar rates of induction were revealed. 

Dr Krysia Lynch, chair of maternity advocacy group AIMS Ireland, said high rates of induction raise questions about why this has become normal practice.

Figures for Cork University Maternity Hospital show an induction rate among first-time mothers in January of 43.8%, rising slightly in February to 43.9%, before dipping in March to 42.1%.

The rate at University Maternity Hospital Limerick ranged between 42.9% and 45.4%, while some 50% of first-time mothers in Clonmel at Tipperary University Hospital were induced.

The highest rate identified was at Portiuncula Hospital during January, when 71.4% of first-time mothers were induced.

Dr Krysia Lynch said a rate of 5% or 10% could be expected but these figures indicate the approach has become the norm.

Dr Lynch described the figures as “shocking”, saying a rate of 5% or 10% could be expected but these figures indicate the approach has become the norm.

Among the reasons for the high rates, she suggested, was a sense that due dates are believed to be "cast in stone", so if women go over then induction is more likely to be proposed.

What's your view on this issue?

You can tell us here

Induction can be a way “to control the birth process”, Dr Lynch said.

Underlying reasons for this could be practising defensive medicine to avoid increased risks, or a movement towards medicalisation of births, she said.

She also suggested it could be a way to “maximise scant resources”, including low midwifery or obstetrician numbers.

Dr Lynch also discussed the HSE’s new induction guidelines, which have 16 recommendations covering potential complications of induction but only three on women’s birth experience, including “continuous emotional support”.

Maternity conference

At a maternity conference at the weekend, several women shared positive and negative experiences of induction.

The seminar also heard from the Baby Feeding Law Group about infant formula and the impact of this industry on women’s choices.

There was also a discussion on abortion services and on safety during birth.

The AIMS Ireland data is similar to an English study published in February, which identified an induction rate of 19.2% to 53.4% across 54 maternity hospitals, with a median of 36.3%.

The study identified that in 44% of hospitals “induction was an area of concern”.

The findings from 'Induction of labour care in the UK: A cross-sectional survey of maternity units', published in the journal PLOS ONE, recommended improved guidance and pathways to improve safety.

The authors said: “Evidence has widened the indications for IOL [induction of labour] and rates continue to increase, at the same time as severe workforce pressures within maternity services.

“Our study highlights a need to support local maternity units to provide a safe, effective and woman-centred IOL pathway.” 

In the HSE’s plain language summary of birthcare, given to patients, women are told induction is done when the benefit of giving birth outweighs the benefit of continuing with labour.

This cautions women that the decision may mean they spend longer in hospital, increase their need for pain relief, and increase foetal monitoring and vaginal examinations, among other issues.