Patient Advocacy for Induction of Labor
A practical checklist women can use to understand, question, and consent to an induction
Induction of labor means starting labor artificially instead of waiting for spontaneous labor. It is one of the most common interventions in obstetrics, but many women discover only after admission that “induction” is not a single action. It is a sequence of decisions involving cervical ripening drugs, mechanical dilation, membrane rupture, continuous monitoring, and oxytocin.
This checklist helps a patient slow the process down and understand each step before agreeing.
Patient Advocacy Checklist
You can say:
“I want to make an informed decision and understand what is being recommended before we begin.”
1. Why Induction Is Being Recommended
□ What condition are we treating or preventing?
□ Is this medically necessary now or elective?
□ What specifically worries you today?
□ What is the actual risk to my baby if we wait 24–48 hours?
□ How certain is the due date?
□ Would additional testing today change the decision?
□ Is there any immediate danger to me or my baby right now?
What follows will likely change how you view consent in labor care.
If you want to understand how to improve communications between patients and doctors, read on.
