How long does it take?
The time it takes to induce labour varies. In some cases, it may take two to three days before the actual birth starts. During this time, most people have to stay in hospital.
Once labour has started, the baby is usually born within 24 hours. The birth process follows the same phases as if it had started on its own.
The birth process will not necessarily be more complicated because labour was induced. But it often takes longer.
The need for vacuum extraction or caesarean section is more common
It is more common for delivery to turn into an assisted birth by means of vacuum extraction, which involves applying a soft or rigid cup with a handle and a vacuum pump to the baby's head. A doctor will then use this to carefully guide the baby out.
The need to deliver by caesarean section (C-section) is also more common. This is usually because the contractions are not strong enough.