Quality standard

Quality statement 1: Women's involvement in decisions about induction of labour

Quality statement 1: Women's involvement in decisions about induction of labour

Quality statement

Women who are being offered induction of labour are given personalised information about the benefits and risks for them and their babies, and the alternatives to induction.

Rationale

The quality of the information-giving process, and the provision of information about induction of labour at the most appropriate time, can ensure effective choices by women about whether and when they have their labour induced. Women can use this information to consider their options, to ask questions and to reach a decision with the support of their healthcare professionals.

Quality measures

The following measures can be used to assess the quality of care or service provision specified in the statement. They are examples of how the statement can be measured, and can be adapted and used flexibly.

Structure

Evidence of local arrangements to ensure that women who are offered induction of labour are provided with personalised information about the benefits and risks for them and their babies, and the alternatives to induction.

Data source: Data can be collected from information recorded locally by healthcare professionals and provider organisations, for example, from service protocols.

Process

Proportion of women who are offered induction of labour who receive personalised information about the benefits and risks for them and their babies, and the alternatives to induction.

Numerator – the number in the denominator who receive personalised information about the benefits and risks for them and their babies, and the alternatives to induction.

Denominator – the number of women who are offered induction of labour.

Data source: Data can be collected from information recorded locally by healthcare professionals and provider organisations, for example, from patient records.

Outcome

Women who are offered induction of labour feel that they were given sufficient information to enable them to choose to have their labour induced.

Data source: Data can be collected from information recorded locally by healthcare professionals and provider organisations, for example, from surveys of women offered induction of labour.

What the quality statement means for different audiences

Service providers ensure that personalised verbal and written information is available for women who are offered induction of labour that explains the reasons for induction of labour, the benefits and risks for them and their babies, and the alternatives to induction.

Healthcare professionals ensure that they provide women who are offered induction of labour with personalised information explaining the reasons for induction of labour, the benefits and risks for them and their babies, and the alternatives to induction.

Commissioners ensure that they commission services that provide women who are offered induction of labour with personalised information explaining the reasons for induction of labour, the benefits and risks for them and their babies, and the alternatives to induction.

Women who are offered induction of labour (labour that is artificially started, for example, using a pessary, tablet or gel) are given personalised information by their healthcare professionals about the reasons for induction of labour, the benefits and risks for them and their babies, and the alternatives to induction.

Source guidance

Inducing labour. NICE guideline NG207 (2021), recommendations 1.1.3, 1.1.4 and 1.1.5

Definitions of terms used in this quality statement

Personalised information

For women who are offered induction of labour, personalised information includes:

  • explaining that induction of labour is a medical intervention that will affect their birth options and their experience of the birth process

  • the reasons why induction may be clinically appropriate, and alternative options

  • when, where and how induction may be carried out (including pain relief options)

  • the risks and benefits of induction of labour relevant to the woman's own circumstances.

[Adapted from NICE's guideline on inducing labour, recommendations 1.1.3 and 1.1.4]

Equality and diversity considerations

Personalised information about the reasons for induction of labour, the benefits and risks and the alternatives, should be in a form that can be understood by all women so that they can make informed choices. Information should be provided in an accessible format, including for women with physical, sensory or learning disabilities and women who do not speak or read English.