induction of labor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "induction of labor" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in medical contexts, particularly when discussing the process of initiating childbirth. For example, "The doctor recommended the induction of labor due to the mother's health concerns." Alternative expressions include "labor induction" and "inducing labor."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Spicy foods also have been blamed for miscarriages and the induction of labor.

Britannica

Indeed, induction of labor at 41 weeks was associated with a decreased risk.

The New York Times

Misoprostol is an effective agent for the induction of labor.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

(1) Immediate induction of labor, (2) expectant management up to 24 h followed by induction of labor if still necessary, or (3) expectant management for over 24 h.

European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology

To investigate the cost-effectiveness of elective induction of labor at 41 weeks in nulliparous women.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Thirty-four had an immediate cesarean section and 59 had induction of labor.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

One of these patients was subjected to an induction of labor.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Objective: Induction of labor in breech presentation, although not contraindicated, has rarely been reported.

International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics

Elective induction of labor has been discouraged over concerns regarding increased complications.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Induction of labor (IOL) is a medical procedure used to initiate uterine contractions to achieve delivery.

Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine

Conclusion: Induction of labor should be routinely considered for twins at 37 to 38 weeks' gestation.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In less formal writing or to avoid wordiness, you can use the more concise "labor induction", which is equally correct and widely understood.

Common error

Do not confuse "induction of labor" with "augmentation of labor". Induction refers to starting labor that has not yet begun, whereas augmentation refers to speeding up labor that has already started naturally.

Linguistic Context

In the medical domain, "induction of labor" functions as a formal noun phrase representing a specific clinical intervention. According to Ludwig data, it typically acts as the direct object of verbs like "undergo", "perform" or "recommend". Structurally, it follows the 'noun + preposition + noun' pattern which is characteristic of technical English terminology.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Social Media

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "induction of labor" is a highly standardized technical term within the medical and scientific communities. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its status as a primary phrase in obstetrics, appearing consistently in peer-reviewed journals like the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and in reputable news sources like The New York Times. It is used to describe the intentional initiation of childbirth through medical or physical means. Writers should maintain a high level of precision by distinguishing it from "augmentation" and should feel confident using it in any professional or academic context. While variants like ""labor induction"" are acceptable for brevity, the full phrase remains the gold standard for formal documentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

labor induction

A more concise, adjectival form of the phrase often used in headlines and clinical summaries.

inducing labor

The gerund form, focusing on the action being performed by the medical professional.

artificial initiation of labor

A more descriptive but less common technical synonym.

medical induction

Emphasizes that the procedure is being done for health-related reasons.

elective induction

Specifically refers to an induction performed by choice rather than medical necessity.

cervical ripening

Refers to the first stage of the induction process, often used interchangeably in casual clinical talk.

stimulated labor

A slightly more descriptive and less formal way to describe the result of induction.

oxytocin infusion

Focuses on the specific pharmacological method used to induce contractions.

planned delivery

A broader term that can include both induction and scheduled cesarean sections.

brought on labor

An informal, phrasal verb alternative often used in patient-facing communication.

FAQs

What is the difference between "induction of labor" and "labor induction"?

There is no functional difference in meaning; "induction of labor" is slightly more formal and common in academic journals, while ""labor induction"" is more concise and frequently used in news headlines and clinical charts.

Is it "induction of labor" or "induction of labour"?

Both are correct. "induction of labor" is the standard American English spelling, whereas "induction of labour" is the standard British English spelling.

Can I use "inducing labor" instead?

Yes, you can use "inducing labor" when you want to use a verb-based structure, such as "The doctor is inducing labor," rather than the noun-based "induction of labor".

What does "elective induction of labor" mean?

An "elective induction of labor" is a procedure performed for non-medical reasons, such as maternal request or convenience, usually after 39 weeks of gestation.