When is it okay for a doctor to induce labor?
To bring a new neshamah (soul) into this world, a woman undergoes labor and birth, which naturally present a level of risk to both mother and fetus. But this process is accompanied in our tradition by a havtachah (positive assurance) and brachah (blessing)—provided that we allow Hashem’s plan to unfold at its predestined moment.
Induction of labor is therefore problematic from both a halachic and hashkafic perspective. We may not voluntarily put ourselves at risk; since labor qualifies as a sakanah (danger) to the mother, we may not jumpstart it. In addition, the timing of labor is considered, from the Torah view, as Divinely decreed, and we are exhorted not to tamper with this spiritual reckoning by hastening it.
According to current medical opinion, induction poses additional risks to both mother and baby over natural labor, a fact that intensifies the halachic issue of actively initiating a situation of sakanah.
However, in the case where the doctor or midwife advise induction due to medical necessity, it is supported by halachah.