Induction of labour

Induction is an intervention to stimulate the onset of labour. It is performed for a number of reasons related to both the mother and the baby, such as maternal or baby medical conditions and post-term pregnancy (Coates et al 2020). For more information, see Clinical commentary.

This indicator examines induction of labour for selected women giving birth for the first time.

Key findings

In 2022, 43% of selected women giving birth for the first time had an induced labour. 

The proportion of selected women giving birth for the first time who had induced labour:

  • increased from 26% in 2004 to 46% in 2020, with most of the increase occurring over the last decade, before decreasing slightly to 43% in 2022
  • has been slightly higher in public hospitals (44% in 2022) compared with private hospitals (42% in 2022) since 2016
  • was lowest in the ACT and Queensland (38% and 37% respectively) in 2022.

The trend data presented here include years for which the COVID-19 pandemic was considered a public health emergency (2020–2022). The pandemic resulted in changes to the experience of pregnancy and childbirth for many women and their families, though due to the complex nature of the pandemic, its impacts on maternal and perinatal outcomes are still unclear. For more information on induction of labour during the COVID-19 pandemic, see Onset of labour in Maternal and perinatal outcomes during the 2020 and 2021 COVID-19 pandemic.

The interactive data visualisation (Figure 6) presents data on induction of labour in selected women giving birth for the first time by selected characteristics. Select from the drop down menu to view data by selected characteristics and select the current data button to explore data for 2022.

Figure 6: Induction of labour

This data visualisation presents data on induction of labour. Interactive charts show proportions for the latest year of data and over time, for selected demographic and birth characteristics. Data can be explored for each characteristic. Data are presented through to 2022.


Clinical commentary

When induction of labour is indicated on medical grounds, it is undertaken when the risks of continuing the pregnancy are greater than the risks associated with being born (McDonnell 2011). For the woman to make a fully informed decision, clear information should be given regarding the risks of continuing the pregnancy and awaiting the spontaneous onset of labour versus the risks of the intervention of induction.

Maternal factors such as wellbeing, cervical assessment, parity and previous mode of delivery, and fetal factors such as gestational age, growth and wellbeing of the fetus need to be considered when deciding whether labour should be induced (McCarthy and Kenny 2014). These factors also assist in determining the method of induction, which can be surgical (including artificial rupture of membranes) and/or medical (including use of prostaglandins and/or oxytocin) (RANZCOG 2021a; Queensland Health 2017).

There are numerous indications for induction of labour. Prolonged pregnancy is the most common indication, with births after 41 and 42 weeks associated with increased risks for the baby and perinatal death (Muglu et al. 2019). It is widely recommended that induction be offered to women at 41–42 weeks of gestation (Middleton et al. 2020; Queensland Health 2022).

Whilst most women who have induced labour – and their babies – do well, induction of labour may increase the risk of a less positive birth experience, infection, and bleeding when compared to spontaneous labour. There is evidence that induction also increases the risk of emergency caesarean section (Coates et al. 2020; Grivell et al. 2012). However, some recent research suggests that induction of labour may not increase the risk of caesarean section in certain cases (Grobman et al. 2018; Middleton et al. 2020; RANZCOG 2021a).

Indicator specifications and data

Excel source data tables are available from Data.

For more information, refer to Data specifications and Methods.

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