Does induction of labour treat overdue pregnancy?

An overdue, or post-term, pregnancy continues beyond the expected due period. As pregnancy progresses, your team may offer extra checks and discuss whether birth should be started rather than waiting for labour to begin on its own. Induction may involve preparing the cervix and then using medicine or breaking the waters, depending on your examination and medical history. It is intended to start labour, not to treat every reason a pregnancy continues past its due date.

Keep your antenatal appointments and ask how your due date was established. Discuss fetal movement, monitoring, the condition of your cervix and the proposed induction method. Make practical plans for arriving at the maternity unit and ask what pain-relief options are available. Details about the process are explained on [Induction of Labour](/treatments/pregnancy-and-birth-care/induction-of-labour/).

Call promptly if movements become reduced or different, your waters break, bleeding occurs, or contractions become regular and painful. Get urgent assessment for severe headache, changes in vision, severe upper-abdominal pain, sudden swelling or feeling seriously unwell. Do not wait for an induction appointment if an urgent pregnancy symptom appears.

Ask when induction is recommended in your situation, what monitoring will happen while you wait, and how your cervix affects the plan. Clarify the possible stages, what happens if the first method is not effective, and when a caesarean birth might be discussed.