The healthcare team
Your healthcare team will include nursing staff and your obstetrical care provider (examples: midwife, family physician, obstetrician), and possibly anesthesia depending on your preferences.
In teaching hospitals, other important members of the team include the next generation of healthcare learners.
In order to select the most appropriate method to induce labour, your care team may perform the following exams:
Vaginal exam
The care provider will gently insert two fingers into the vagina and advance them towards the cervix in order to assess the cervix (open vs. closed, long vs. thin, soft vs. firm).
Speculum exam
The care provider will place a speculum inside the vagina to visualize the cervix. This is usually done if a Foley catheter is being placed to induce labour. The exam will feel similar to a pap test.
The baby’s heart rate will be monitored prior to induction of labour.
The baby’s heart rate will be monitored after an intervention is done to induce labour. The duration of monitoring will depend on the intervention and can last between 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Depending on your pregnancy history, reason for induction, and the baby’s heart rate, your care provider will recommend that you either remain in hospital for the induction or return home between assessments.