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Reducing post-dates induction numbers with post-dates complementary therapy clinics

02 September 2014
Professional
02 September 2014
Volume 22 · Issue 9

Abstract

This short discussion article examines induction of labour (IOL) and how complementary therapy clinics were established for post-dates pregnant women. The number of post-dates inductions performed 1 year after the clinics were established was 5% less than in the 1 year prior to their set up. The service has provided positive patient experience, and is being reviewed further. Consideration also has to be given to potential cost-savings when a reduction in medical inductions is recorded.

In 2012/2013, over 23% of pregnant women in England underwent induction of labour (IOL) (Birth Choice UK, 2013a). Across 11 trusts in Anglia in 2013, these rates ranged from 18 to 29% (Birth Choice UK, 2013b). The majority of post-dates inductions are performed with no other indication than gestation being past the estimated date of delivery (EDD) despite the increased risk of induced labour leading to instrumental births and caesarean sections (NHS Information Centre 2012a; 2012b), especially in primigravidae women (Vrouenraets et al, 2005).

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, 2008a) recommends induction for women with uncomplicated pregnancies between 41 and 42 weeks. Furthermore, NICE (2008b) recognise that an ability to identify those pregnancies most at risk, could avoid unnecessary induction for all.

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Post-dates pregnancy
Post-term pregnancy
Complementary therapies
Induction of labour
Natural induction