Mums-to-be in Burton can now share some of the pain of labour with their partners after Burton Hospital launched a unique trial to see parents who are being induced, stay the night.

The maternity ward at Burton’s Queen’s Hospital is set to get a whole lot busier after Burton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust announced its part in a three month trial which will offer the partners of mums who are being induced, the chance to stay at their loved one’s side, in the hope of helping the patients feel more relaxed and comfortable.

Although partners are permitted to stay overnight with the mother once a baby has been delivered, this opportunity was not previously offered to those who are having an induced labour but will be available from Friday, September 1, on a three-month pilot basis.

Helen Hurst, director of midwifery at the trust, said: "Our main aim is to ensure that women who are being induced are as comfortable as possible and many have told us that they would like their partner to stay with them throughout this phase of labour.

"We have conducted feedback from both partners and patients throughout the summer and have decided to trial this service with a view to offering this to all patients in the future. We are constantly looking for ways in which to improve the patient experience and this is one way where we have listened and responded to the views of our patients."

A number of reclining chairs have been funded for the service by the Burton Hospitals League of Friends.

Emma Wilmot, senior midwife, added: "We would like to thank the League of Friends for their support with this initiative. I am sure that the patients who benefit from this new equipment will be incredibly grateful."

When is labour induced?

An induced labour is one that is started artificially. It is fairly common for labour to be induced. Every year, one in five labours are induced in the UK.

Sometimes labour can be induced if your baby is overdue or if there is any sort of risk to you or your baby's health. This risk could be if you have a health condition such as high blood pressure, for example, or if your baby is failing to grow.

Induction will be planned in advance. You will be able to discuss the advantages and disadvantages with your doctor and midwife, and find out why they think your labour should be induced. It is your choice whether to have your labour induced or not.

Most women go into labour spontaneously by the time they are 42 weeks pregnant. If your pregnancy lasts longer than 42 weeks and you decide not to have your labour induced, you should be offered increased monitoring to check your baby's wellbeing.