Midwifery - Case Study 1: Induction of labour and Group B Streptococcus (GBS)

Induction of Labour (IOL) is a common obstetric intervention with the purpose of stimulating labour (Ministry of Health 2012; Tathem et al 2012; Thomas et al 2014). IOL is often used where there is an obstetric and/or medical complication (such as pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, intrauterine growth restriction [IUGR]) requiring birth or a woman is classified as post term (Tomas et al 2014). The process of IOL commonly involves a combination of pharmacological and mechanical methods (Hilder et al 2014; SA Health 2013). The most appropriate method of IOL is normally made on consideration of a woman's history alongside of the Bishop score, which assesses both the readiness for labour and the ripeness of the cervix (Kolkman et al 2013; Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists [RANZC
OG] 2012a). The Bishop score is determined by a vaginal examination. For an overview of how to determine a Bishop score see Canterbury District Health Board, Women's Health Service Maternity Guideline, Section 4.1 Cervical Assessment http://www.cdhb.health.nz/Hospitals-Services/Health-Professionals/maternity-care-guidelines/Documents/GLM0035-Induction-of-Labour.pdf