Intervention rates after elective induction of labor compared to labor with a spontaneous onset. A matched cohort study.
BACKGROUND
Elective induction of labor has become a widely used procedure in obstetrics. A number of studies have shown an increased incidence of operative deliveries. The objective of this study was to evaluate the rate of interventions in our hospital, including operative delivery.


METHODS
A matched cohort study in which labor of 122 electively induced women and 122 women with labor with a spontaneous onset were analyzed retrospectively. These women were matched for parity and gestational age.


RESULTS
Pain relief, fetal scalp blood sampling and operative deliveries were recorded more frequently in the electively induced labor group. Cesarean delivery was found in 15% of women with induced labor, and in 1% of labors with a spontaneous onset (relative risk 18 (95% CI 2.4-132.7)). No differences were found in neonatal outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
Elective induction of labor leads to increased intervention rates during labor. The rate of cesarean delivery is high, particular in nulliparous women and multiparous women without a previous vaginal birth.
van Gemund
N
N
Department of Obstetrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands. n.van_gemund@lumc.nl
Hardeman
A
A
Scherjon
S A
SA
Kanhai
H H H
HH
D000328:Adult; D016362:Analgesia, Obstetrical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001034:Apgar Score; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007751:Labor, Induced / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D013513:Obstetric Surgical Procedures; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012535:Scalp / Q000098:blood supply / Q000196:embryology