PubMed1999
AIMS: To examine the indications for induction of labour at a tertiary referral hospital and compare operative delivery rates between women in spontaneous labour and those being induced. METHODS: Prospective case series over three months. Information obtained from questionnaires, chart reviews and computer delivery summaries. RESULTS: The overall induction rate was 23%. After 25 exclusions, 438 inductions were studied: 239 by questionnaire and 199 by chart review. Five percent of all inductions were primarily for maternal request or social reasons. Twenty-three percent were for ACHS/RACOG non-defined indications. From the questionnaires, 21% of women induced had requested induction. Spontaneous delivery rates were significantly reduced for induced women, compared with those labouring spontaneously (61.0% versus 72.1%, p<0.001). The Caesarean section rate was significantly increased with induced labour (21.5% versus 14.9%, p<0.001), the increased rate occurring in nulliparae (27.7% versus 19.1%, p=0.008) rather than multiparae (15.1% versus 11.7%, p=0.19). Surgical delivery rates were similar for women induced for defined and non defined indications. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of the indications for doing so, induction of labour is associated with significantly reduced spontaneous delivery rates overall and an increased Caesarean section rate in nulliparae.