Planning for a Positive Induction
If you’ve been told that induction is recommended — or you’ve chosen it for your own reasons — you might be feeling a mixture of things right now.
Perhaps you’re curious, hopeful, or quietly anxious.
You might have read stories that sound very different from one another, or you might be wondering what induction will actually look and feel like for you.
The truth is, induction can unfold in many different ways — and it doesn’t have to mean losing your calm or control.
Understanding what induction really involves
When we talk about induction of labour, we’re describing a range of methods that help the body begin or progress birth.
That might include prostaglandin gels or pessaries to soften the cervix, a balloon catheter (sometimes called a Foley or Cook’s balloon), breaking the waters, or an oxytocin drip to encourage contractions.
Every body responds differently.
Some people move into labour quickly after the first stage; others need a little more support.
Knowing what each method involves — and how you can stay informed, comfortable and heard throughout — can make all the difference.
A calm approach to preparing for induction
The key to a positive induction isn’t pretending it will all be easy — it’s understanding how to stay connected through each decision, conversation and sensation.
That includes:
Knowing your rights and choices at every stage
Understanding what’s happening physiologically in your body
Building an environment that supports oxytocin and calm
Recognising when things feel too intense and how to get help
Planning gently for the possibility of birth by caesarean, without fear
When you’re prepared, you’re able to meet whatever unfolds with confidence — because you understand it, and because you’ve already thought about what matters most to you.
Introducing
Planning for a Positive Induction - the new eBook
I’ve created a brand-new resource to support you through this process:
✨ Planning for a Positive Induction, a calm, evidence-based guide to help you prepare mind, body and environment for induction.
It’s written in my voice — the same gentle, realistic approach I use in my antenatal courses and doula work — and it brings together everything you need to know, all in one place.
Inside, you’ll find:
Clear explanations of every stage of induction, including vaginal examinations, prostaglandins, balloon catheters, and oxytocin drips
Information about what to expect, what’s normal, and what questions to ask
A full chapter on when things feel intense or overwhelming, and how to stay calm and supported
A gentle discussion of when and why induction might lead to caesarean, and how to plan for that scenario without fear
Reflections and prompts to help you make the process your own
The ebook is designed to feel like sitting down with a doula — grounded, kind, and honest.
Why I created it
Over the years, I’ve worked with many families who were preparing for induction and felt lost between hospital leaflets, online forums and complicated medical terms.
They wanted something that explained both the physiology and the feelings — something that didn’t minimise the realities, but also didn’t take away hope.
This ebook is my response to that gap.
It’s for anyone who wants to walk into their induction with knowledge, calm and confidence — whether they’re days away from the date, or just starting to explore what it might involve.
How to get your copy
You can buy and download Planning for a Positive Induction instantly, here through my website.
You’ll receive a beautifully formatted PDF that you can read on any device or print and annotate as part of your own birth preparation.
👉 Get your copy of Planning for a Positive Induction here.
Final thoughts
You and your partner both deserve to feel informed, calm and supported — no matter how your birth begins.
Whether your story includes gels, drips, sweeps or simply time and patience, this book will help you feel ready, capable and connected.
And remember: with the right planning an induction can still be your birth, on your terms.
