In Your Own Time: How western medicine controls the start of labour and why this needs to stop

This book by the fabulous Sara Wickham is so needed right now. It couldn't be more timely. For women being advised to accept an induction, it's an absolute must read. This book provides you - as a woman, partner, midwife or birth worker - with the information you need to question routine and unnecessary induction of labour and get the detailed, accurate information you need to be able to make the right decision about going ahead with an induction or waiting for labour to start. Sara has managed to collect together all the research on the topic, analyse it and present it in such an accessible way. This book is a giant and will be much read over the coming months and years.

This timely book looks at a much bigger picture than that usually considered in obstetric advice concerning induction of labour. Sara Wickham examines a wide range of research and the many areas where there is no research and thus shows the lack of evidence base in so much of the pressure on women to be induced. She explores the historical and social factors resulting in modern medicalised birth. I love her concept of the "fixed-point expectation syndrome". She also considers the "advantages of the waiting days" and the disadvantages of induction.I recommend this book to any pregnant woman and it should be required reading for obstetricians in training and student midwives.

Induction of labour has become an international pandemic threatening every fit and healthy woman and baby. While induction can be essential for women and babies with medical conditions it is grossly over-used in the rest of the population. Women are often told of "risks" if they decline an induction, they are rarely told of the risks of having one. Sara's timely book discusses the issues and, as she has said, "it is complicated". Her book sheds light on the issues and, after reading it, women will be better prepared to consider whether or not it is appropriate in their particular circumstances.

Having read a lot of Sara Wickhams work as I approached 42 weeks in my first pregnancy I jumped to order this as soon as it was released. No woman should have a conversation with a health professional about induction unless they have read this book!

I picked up the book and couldn't put it down. This wonderful book is brilliantly timed. With induction of labour rates soaring it's imperative that birth workers, birthing people, supportive family/ friends understand the process and know/ have access to the evidence. This book does this in an abundance. Thank you for another amazing book Sara Wickham.

Having just finished reading this book I feel much better informed about induction and other interventions which will help me feel more confident in my decisions around birth planning. I would happily recommend it to pregnant family and friends - easy to read but thorough and not at all over-simplified.

Invaluable - a must read!

If you've ever wondered why discussions around the length of pregnancy and induction of labour matter, then this is a must-read, particularly in light of the latest NICE guidance on Induction of Labour. In her brilliant, matter-of-fact style, Sara Wickham unpacks the issues around pregnancy and intervention timings, pulling apart the evidence and importantly highlighting where evidence is lacking. 'In Your Own Time' supports informed decision-making, guides women towards reclaiming control over their pregnancy and birth, and challenges us to rethink so many assumptions about pregnancy length and "risk". Wickham's years of research, knowledge and midwifery experience shine through this well-balanced, evidence-based and highly accessible book. Without a doubt an essential read that will resonate for many who are concerned about the ever-increasing rate of induction.