Outcomes of Elective Labour Induction and Elective Caesarean Section in Low-risk Pregnancies Between 37 and 41 Weeks’ Gestation

To ascertain any differences in fetomaternal outcomes in induced and spontaneous labour among primiparous women delivering at term without an identified indication for induction

“…The present study is comparable to Dunne C et al (2009) who also demonstrated no significant relationship in terms of post-partum hemorrhage between the two groups in the primipara and multipara subjects. 4 Tylleskar J et al (1979) observed 339 ± 242 ml of blood loss in spontaneous group and 376 ± 216 ml of blood loss in induced group among primiparous subjects.…”

“…11 Dunne C et al (2009) also showed significant difference in caesarean delivery rates among primiparas (6.6% and 13.3% in group 1 and group 2 respectively. 4 Macer JA et al (1992) reported 22.1% caesarean delivery rate in group 1 and 33.8% in group 2 among primiparas but the findings were insignificant (Table 27). The present study is contrary to study by Prysak M et al (1998) where fetal distress accounted for 0.9% and 1.5% of caesarean deliveries in group 1 and 2 and the difference was non-significant, dystocia was responsible for 7.6% and 3.5% of caesarean deliveries in the two groups (p<0.001).…”

“…3 Induction of labour that is not indicated for a medical reason, also termed elective induction of labour, appears to be rising as well and at a rate even more rapidly than that of the overall induction of labour. 4 Many think that this intervention exposes the parturient patient and her baby to a cascade of related events each contributing its own hazards, the culmination of which is less favourable outcome than would be obtained if nature were allowed to follow its course. 5,6 6,7 Opinions differ regarding whether benefits outweigh the risks to mother and foetus during induction of labour.…”

Maternal and neonatal outcome of spontaneous versus induced labour at term

“…In a study by Barthelemy Tandu-Umba post term pregnancies covered only 14.6% 12 . In a study by John D.Yeast, Angela Jones and Mark Poskins, postdated pregnancy was found to be the most common indication 13 .…”

“…Induction of labour is carried out in over 20% of pregnancies in Induction of labour at term with no other medical complication decreases both maternal and neonatal morbidities but it may be associated with certain adverse outcomes. One known adverse outcome of induced labor is an increased rate of caesarean section, clearly demonstrated in nulliparous patients [6][7][8] .…”