Induction Support

Section Pages

• Pregnancy Yoga Classes
• Active Birth Workshop
• Breastfeeding Workshop
• Pregnancy Services
• Birth Plans
• Induction Support
• Breech Babies
• Pilates for Pregnancy
• Doula Services

If you are facing the prospect of medical induction, we understand this can be a very stressful time. Although we recognise that induction can be a very necessary procedure to ensure the health of you and your baby, we are also very aware that the pressure to have your baby can be potentially based to suit the schedules and protocols of your caregivers and not evidence based or best practice.

Why are you taking too long to give birth? Well in the main you are not. The standard dating rule of 40 weeks is based on Naegele’s Rule. This theory was originated by a botanist, who in 1744 came up with a method of calculating the EDD based upon evidence in the Bible that human gestation lasts approximately 10 lunar months. The formula was publicized around 1812 by German obstetrician Franz Naegele and since has become the accepted norm for calculating the due date. There is one glaring flaw in Naegele’s rule. Strictly speaking, a lunar (or synodic – from new moon to new moon) month is actually 29.53 days, which makes 10 lunar months roughly 295 days, a full 15 days longer than the 280 days gestation we’ve been lead to believe is average. In fact, if left alone, 50-80% of mothers will gestate beyond 40 weeks. Furthermore only 4% of women give birth on their due date.

In addition, the rule is also based on a cycle of 28 days and does not take into account any variations. Finally studies in Australia have shown over 28% of inductions are unnecessary.  But still our hospitals stick to the 40 week principals.