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  • Elective induction of labour is associated with decreased perinatal mortality and lower odds of caesarean section at 40 and 41 weeks

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Aetiology
Cohort study
Elective induction of labour is associated with decreased perinatal mortality and lower odds of caesarean section at 40 and 41 weeks
  1. Aaron B Caughey
  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
  1. Correspondence to : Dr Aaron B Caughey
    OHSU, OB Gyn, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, USA; caughey{at}ohsu.edu

https://doi.org/10.1136/ebmed-2012-100862

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    Commentary on: Stock SJ, Ferguson E, Duffy A, et al. Outcomes of elective induction of labour compared with expectant management: population based study. BMJ 2012;344:e2838.OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text

    Context

    Induction of labour can be utilised to intervene in a pregnancy when the risks of ongoing pregnancy outweigh that of intervention. Elective induction of labour is labour induction without a clear medical or obstetric indication. It is widely believed to increase caesarean delivery, posing unnecessary risks to mother and fetus.1 ,2 However, little objective information supports this conclusion, and a meta-analysis of randomised trials3 found that elective induction decreased caesarean delivery compared to expectant management (ie, allowing the pregnancy to progress, leading to delivery at a later gestational age).

    While many past observational studies1 ,2 have found higher risk of adverse outcomes with elective induction, these …

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    Footnotes

    • Competing interests None.