Midwife Nikki replies:  A membrane sweep can start labour within 48 hours and is a good form of natural induction. It can be uncomfortable as the cervix, or womb entrance, may be difficult to reach.The midwife or doctor will examine you and sweep a finger around your cervix. This...

Midwife Katie replies: This is an internal examination, where the midwife or the doctor slides an index finger through the opening of the cervix, the neck of the womb, and around its inner surface. This effectively ‘sweeps' the cervix away from the membranes covering the baby's h...

GP DR ROB SAYS:Castor oil is a powerful laxative and is reported to have been used by midwives for many years to induce labour. It's not clear how exactly it may achieve this, but some suggest that when stimulating the gut it also stimulates the womb causing contractions. The con...

Experienced doula Adela is also a trained midwife and homeopath. Since 2002 she has been working exclusively as a doula and childbirth homeopath.How can a doula help with childbirth? A doula is a supportive birth companion, usually a mother herself, who offers continuous emotiona...

oz. She tweeted: ‘The wait was worth it....our beautiful baby girl, Ella Rose Midgley, arrived last night. We are totally smitten!’Falconer had aired her frustration earlier in the week about being a week overdue tweeting, ‘Time passes very slowly

When you've waited nine months to meet your baby, going overdue can be frustrating. But don't get too hung up on the due date itself - only 5% of babies arrive on time, and one in five women has her labour induced because she's overdue.Why induction

likely to need or want an epidural.And if you were induced first time around, there's good news too. Experts agree that you are less likely to go overdue with a second pregnancy.Do also remember that you have the right to ask to wait longer before being

'll be well prepared.Getting startedYou may be induced if your baby is in distress, you have a medical problem such as pre-eclampsia, which can cause dangerously high blood pressure, or you're overdue, as the placenta may not work as efficiently. Also

’t get lost!Your due date arrives……but there’s no sign of your baby. Don’t worry – it’ll happen soon, one way or another. Most hospitals won’t let you go more than 10 to 14 days overdue, as it’s thought the placenta becomes less efficient after this time

why a natural birth may not be possible. You may need to be induced, if your baby is overdue for example.Your waters might break early and your baby may need to be delivered quickly to avoid infection.Your waters may need to be broken manually to help