title: Outpatient induction of labour in the UK: a survey of practice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify the current UK use of outpatient procedures for cervical ripening prior to induction of labour.
  
  
  METHODS
  Postal survey of consultant led obstetric units within the United Kingdom. A questionnaire was sent by post to 210 NHS consultant led obstetric units within the UK. Units that provided outpatient induction of labour (OP IOL) were asked complete a series of questions defining their protocol for risk stratification and management.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The survey had a 78% response rate. 17.6% of units stated that they currently or soon will provide OP IOL. All units were willing to provide OP IOL for post-dates singleton pregnancies and none provided this service for women with a previous caesarean or multiple pregnancy. 96% of inductions were initiated in a hospital setting prior to discharge home. 84% of units used Propess(®) to initiate OP IOL and 96% had a fetal assessment with CTG. Only 40% of units had a clear mechanism for assessment once the woman had gone home. 72% of units performed regular audit of their practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We suggest that robust comparative research within a UK context is urgently required to establish the safety and cost effectiveness of outpatient induction of labour before this technique becomes fully embedded in clinical care without an adequate evidence base.
authors: Department of Women and Children's Health Research, University Department, Liverpool Women's Hospital, Crown Street, Liverpool L8 7SS, UK. Electronic address: asharp@liv.ac.uk.
authors: Andrew N
authors: AN
authors: Sharp
authors: UK MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
authors: Sarah J
authors: SJ
authors: Stock
authors: Department of Women and Children's Health Research, University Department, Liverpool Women's Hospital, Crown Street, Liverpool L8 7SS, UK.
authors: Zarko
authors: Z
authors: Alfirevic
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D020070:Cervical Ripening; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007751:Labor, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D009774:Obstetrics; D010045:Outpatients; D011247:Pregnancy; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Induction of labour; Outpatient induction of labour