What do maternity statistics tell us about induction of labour?
The National Maternity Statistics (Department of Health, 1997) show that labour is induced in one out of every five pregnancies carried to viability in England. Induced labours are associated with higher rates of further intervention such as instrumental delivery and caesarean section, and with economic costs resulting from longer stay in hospital. Women who are offered induction of labour, whether for medical or social reasons, should be advised of the risks of further intervention. Information about induction of labour should be given routinely during antenatal care since one in five women will have this experience. Care providers need to be more aware of the economics of induced labour, a factor which has not been taken into account in the longstanding debate on the merits of induction of labour for post-term pregnancy.
Edozien
L C
LC
The Royal Oldham Hospital, UK. legra@mcmail.com