Inducing Labour: making informed decisions

Sara Wickham has delivered another wonderfully written and informative book. I bought it after reaching my 42nd week of pregnancy so that I could learn more about induction. Seeing the various options of induction explained in a simple and straightforward way really helped making an informed decision and going to NHS meetings with the necessary knowledge to fight my corner. I firmly believe that this book alongside In Your Own Time always from Sara Wickham, helped me make sure that my baby was born healthy. His umbilical cord was so wrapped around his neck (not seen in the latest 3 scans even when I specifically asked the doctors to check for it) that if I accepted a chemical induction he would have been deprived of oxygen and born with a disability. Luckily I listened to my gut, learned the facts after stumbling across these books, and my baby was born safely via c section as he would have never been able to be born vaginally due to the umbilical cord and the placenta holding him back. Thank you so much Sara Wickham for sharing your knowledge and research with us! I’ll be forever grateful!

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. This is going on the Abuela Doulas Preparation course required reading list.

Regardless where you are in the world, this book will help you understand the process of sweep and stretch and process of induction in detail with all benefits and risk associated (sadly this is something that not all care providers will be happy to share, as so often they pressure women into decisions without providing the whole picture). It is written in clear language and easy to understand. The author clearly has a vast knowledge on the subject and is a respected midwifery and birth educator in the UK. This book has influenced my decisions in late pregnancy and thanks to the information provided, I had a very positive birth experience and knew my options and the consequences of my choices from the unbiased source. Reading this was invaluable to me.

As a hypnobirthing and birth preparation teacher I always recommend the AIMS booklets and the research by Sara Wickham to my expectant couples. Having evidence and research presented in a readable format so that they can make their own informed decisions about their pregnancy, labour and birth is so important - and this book is exactly doing that. A must have for all parents-to-be to inform themselves fully about induction, what it is and why they may be offered it to them, and the choices they have to make in induction situations (and there are many choices, as you will discover from the book). Also a must-have book for everyone who works in the field of pregnancy and birth too

Anyone being offered induction, which is upto 50% of birthing women in the UK at the moment, should read this. Partners and support team should also consider reading this so a fully informed decision can be made.

Great book full of evidence based info but at the same time ideal For birthing people and their families as straightforward to read. My go to resource

If you are or know someone thats pregnant education is the best gift! Seriously this book allowed me to literally change my due date at 41 weeks pregnant and avoid induction & have a beautiful home water birth as a first time mother - it educated me and allowed me to use my BRAIN and gather evidence relating to my pregnancy. Happy birthing

Have recommended this book to all the couples I teach or come into contact with - and all the new KGH teachers I meet & train too. Beautifully written with compassion it presents the (often not really robust enough) evidence about induction in various circumstances to support women in making the right decision for them. You know that sad feeling when you finish a good book? That. And it's not even a novel!

Whether you’re a FTM (First Time Mama) or a seasoned veteran, this book breaks down all methods of induction and augmentation (enhancing labor once it’s started). Highly recommend this book if you have any questions. The best member of your birth team is your education! Every mama wants to feel empowered to make confident and well-informed decisions during labor and birth. Decisions that will impact your health, your baby’s health, and easy/difficulty of your recovery and bonding. You’re doing great by researching for yourself and not just listening to advice of others. You are your and your baby’s best advocate. The more you know. . .

Aunque expresé mi opinion de no tener una induccion al parto por "embarazo prolongado" me dieron cita en Madrid directamente a las 41+5 semanas y pasé por una inducion al parto my problematica, con infeccion, bradicardia, y al final como las drogas que me pusieron seguramente no fueron efectivas tuvieron que "sacarme"a mi niña tirando de ella con una ventosa en la cabeza. De cara a un siguiente embarazo, este libro me ha ayudado a entender mucho de los riesgos de una induccion y del porqué de las presiones que muchas madres ( a dia de hoy el 25%) recibimos para terminar nuestro embarazo y provocar el parto de manera artificial. Excelente libro que debería coompartirse para que llegue a muchas madres y padres en estas situaciones.

This book’s content is great. It answers and addresses any and all concerns that you would ever have about induction of labor. It’s a must read for all expectant people! I was due with my sixth child and I was 38 years old, The entire pregnancy my doctor treated it as high risk due to my “advanced, maternal age” as they call it. The whole pregnancy was healthy no issues at all, but towards the end, my doctor increasingly pressed me for induction, but didn’t give any other reason than my advanced maternal age. This book Opened my eyes and gave knowledge to make better informed decisions.