This publication provides best practice clinical guidance for health professionals on induction of labour in the Aotearoa New Zealand context.
The Induction of Labour in Aotearoa New Zealand: A Clinical Practice Guideline provides consistent, evidence-based guidance on induction of labour in the Aotearoa New Zealand context.
The clinical guideline applies to all health professionals providing pregnancy and birthing care to women/pregnant people, both in the community and within maternity services.
In New Zealand, the number of women who experience an induction of labour has steadily increased over recent years, from 19.4% in 2006 to 26.4% in 2018.
A recommendation to induce a woman/pregnant person’s labour will impact on their experience of labour, their birth plan and sometimes where the birth takes place. This guidance supports health professionals to be confident that their induction of labour recommendation is based on the best evidence available.
The guideline also acknowledges that women/pregnant people should have the opportunity to make an informed choice and be fully informed about the quality of evidence underpinning a recommendation for an induction of labour.
The draft guideline was made available on the Auckland University website in 2019. It has been reviewed by the Ministry and the final version approved for publication on the Ministry of Health website.