26/02/2026
Updating this EYE OPENING graph I created a few years ago as it's even more relevant than ever!
It’s an argument that’s thrown at me so often in the comments section of my social media posts... “but medical interventions are saving lives!” or “but why would you risk a dead baby?”. But the stats speak for themselves… the significant increase in inductions (and C-sections) isn’t resulting in a significant decrease in stillbirths... not significantly and not in proportion with the amount of inductions happening year on year...
According to the NHS maternity annual statistics reports and ONS data, inductions have increased, and yet stillbirths are the same as 5 years ago!!
Not only that, our rates of birth trauma are sky high, and postpartum haemorrhages have increased every year (most likely due to inductions and increased use of drugs and medical intervention).
Medical intervention and induction has a time and a place, but we’re in a reality where these procedures are being offered far too often, without proper information, and for reasons which are not backed by research or evidence. It’s so important to understand why it may be offered...
If you'd like to read up on the validity of induction for common reasons such as BMI, due dates, gestational diabetes, age or IVF (to name a few!), take a look at my induction quick guide. Link is in my bio or go to https://betterbirthuk.etsy.com/listing/1380755659. This digital guide arms you with the essential info and evidence behind the recommendations for induction along with the lowdown on methods available! Get clued up and decide whether induction is right for you & your baby!
