title: Induction of labour at term for women over 35 years old: a survey of the views of women and obstetricians.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the views of UK women and obstetricians relating to induction of labour at term for women over 35 years of age.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional web-based survey sent to members of the British Maternal and Fetal Medicine Society (BMFMS) and pregnant or recently delivered members of a large social network site for parents (www.mumsnet.com). One hundred and twenty-eight consultant obstetrician members of BMFMS and 663 pregnant or recently delivered women responded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred and eighty-eight women (43%) would consider induction of labour for maternal age alone, and 192 women (29%) would consider participating in a randomised trial of induction of labour at term versus expectant management in a future pregnancy. Three percent (n=4) of consultant obstetricians offer induction of labour at term to women at 35-39 years of age, 37% (n=47) to women at 40-44 years of age and 55% (n=70) to those over 45 years. Sixty-one consultants (48%) would participate in a trial to test the effect of a policy of induction for nulliparous women over 35 years old.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The policy of offering induction of labour at term for advanced maternal age is widespread and a significant percentage of women consider it to be a valid indication.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK. katefwalker@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: Kate F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: George J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Bugg
authors.forename: Marion
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Macpherson
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thornton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007751:Labor, Induced / Q000523:psychology*; D008423:Maternal Age; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult