title: Selective labor induction in postterm patients. Observations and outcomes.
abstract: Six hundred twenty-nine postterm patients with reliable dates were evaluated for expectant management. Patients with medical or obstetric complications, a Bishop score greater than 6 or abnormal antepartum testing were ineligible for such management. The incidences of macrosomia, fetal distress necessitating cesarean section and low five-minute Apgar scores were similar in patients with labor induction as compared to those managed expectantly. The cesarean section rate was significantly lower in patients who underwent induction for a Bishop score greater than 6 as compared to those followed expectantly (15% vs. 28%). The lowest cesarean section rate was seen in patients with Bishop scores greater than 8 (5%) versus 15% in patients with Bishop scores of 6-8.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles.
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Medearis
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Horenstein
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Walla
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Paul
mesh_terms: D002585:Cesarean Section; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007751:Labor, Induced; D011247:Pregnancy; D011273:Pregnancy, Prolonged