title: Induction of Labour in Late and Postterm Pregnancies and its Impact on Maternal and Neonatal Outcome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aimed to determine the effects of induction of labour in late-term pregnancies on the mode of delivery, maternal and neonatal outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively analyzed deliveries between 2000 and 2014 at the University Hospital of Cologne. Women with a pregnancy aged between 41 + 0 to 42 + 6 weeks were included. Those who underwent induction of labour were compared with women who were expectantly managed. Maternal and neonatal outcomes were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  856 patients were included into the study. The rate of cesarean deliveries was significantly higher for the induction of labour group (33.8 vs. 21.1 %, p < 0.001). Aside from the more frequent occurrence of perineal lacerations (induction of labour group vs. expectantly managed group = 38.1 % compared with 26.4 %, p = 0.002) and all types of lacerations (induction of labour group vs. expectantly managed group = 61.5% vs. 52.2 %, p = 0.021) in women with vaginal delivery, there were no significant differences in maternal outcome. Besides, no differences regarding neonatal outcome were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study suggests that induction of labour in late and postterm pregnancies is associated with a significantly higher cesarean section rate. Other maternal and fetal parameters were not influenced by induction of labour.
authors: University Hospital of Cologne, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cologne, Germany.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Thangarajah
authors: University Hospital of Cologne, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cologne, Germany.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Scheufen
authors: University Hospital of Cologne, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cologne, Germany.
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Kirn
authors: University Hospital of Cologne, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cologne, Germany.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Mallmann
keywords: cesarean section; delivery; induction of labour; materno-fetal medicine