Adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes of elective induction of labour at term vs spontaneous onset of labour; a comparison study

Introduction: Induction of labour (IOL) is a relatively common procedure in the present obstetrics practice. Decision is made by obstetricians when the extra uterine life is more favourable for the baby than intrauterine environment. However there is evidence that IOL may adversely affect both maternal and perinatal health.

 

Methods: A group of 75 mothers who underwent IOL was compared with an age-matched sample of same number of mothers who underwent spontaneous onset of labour (SOL) at term at Teaching Hospital Mahamodara. Data were collected from bed head tickets. Main maternal and perinatal outcomes were compared using chi-square and t-tests.

 

Results: There were no statistically significant differences in the basic demographic characteristics of the two groups. Mothers with IOL had significantly high rates of caesarean section (p=0.011) and prolonged hospital stay (p<0.001) compared to SOL group. There were no statistically significant differences in the two groups with regards to duration of labour (p=0.073), APGAR at 10 minutes (p=0.466) and Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) admissions (p=0.405).

 

Conclusions: Mothers who underwent elective IOL at term had increased rate of cesarean section and prolonged hospital stay when compared to mothers who had SOL. The two groups were comparable with regards to adverse perinatal and maternal outcomes.