Induction of Labour (IOL) Study

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  A survey of women and birthing people’s experiences of induction of labour at the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM).

• IRAS ID

  371138

• Contact name

  Angela Hancock

• Contact email

  angela.hancock3@uhnm.nhs.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust

• Duration of Study in the UK

  1 years, 0 months, 0 days

• Research summary

  Induction of labour (IOL) is when doctors or midwives use medical methods to start labour rather than waiting for it to begin naturally. Medical methods include hormone medications or gels to soften and open the cervix (neck of the womb); breaking the waters (amniotic sac); and/or use a hormone drip (oxytocin infusion) to encourage or strengthen contractions.
  
  IOL is often recommended if labour has not started naturally by 41 weeks of pregnancy (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence [NICE], 2021); if the waters have broken but contractions have not started; or if there are health concerns for the mother (such as high blood pressure) or baby (such as slowed growth). Research has shown that offering IOL at 41 weeks for healthy pregnancies can reduce rates of caesarean sections and neonatal deaths (NICE, 2021). IOL can also benefit women and birthing people with conditions like diabetes or advanced maternal age.

  Although there are benefits in having an IOL, women and birthing people’s choices and experiences can be affected. Labour that has been induced can be longer, more intense, and may lead to other medical interventions such as epidural, assisted delivery or caesarean section. IOL can also lead to emotional effects such as anxiety, exhaustion, and a sense of reduced control. The emotional effects of IOL can be reduced if women and birthing people feel supported, informed, and involved in decisions throughout the process.

  The maternity team at the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) wish to collect feedback from women and birthing people about their IOL experiences. This will help them understand how best to provide support and information to women and birthing people having IOL. They would also welcome suggestions for changes to the ward environment that would improve women and birthing people’s experiences.
  

• REC name

  East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  26/EM/0134

• Date of REC Opinion

  29 Jun 2026

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion