Decision aids can help you make a decision about health-related issues such as: Should you have surgery? Which medication would you consider taking? What happens if you decide not to have a certain treatment?
Decision aids summarize the main pros and cons of the various treatment options. They can't replace a medical consultation. But they can help you to discuss any remaining questions with your doctor and then decide together if one of the treatments is right for you.
What's in the decision aid on inducing labor?
Most children are born in the two weeks before or after their estimated due date. But sometimes the pregnancy lasts longer. The longer you wait after the due date, the more likely you'll start thinking about inducing labor.
In Germany, doctors and midwives usually suggest inducing labor once the 42nd week of pregnancy has started. But you can still wait and see if labor starts on its own in the next few days. If that doesn't happen by the beginning of the 43rd week, they urgently recommend inducing labor.
Labor can be induced using mechanical approaches (like membrane sweeps or a balloon catheter) and medications. This decision aid describes the pros and cons of the different labor induction approaches, as well as their potential side effects – depending on the week of pregnancy. It can help you make the right decision for you, together with your midwife and doctor.
You can download and print the decision aid here:
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