Timing of induction of labor with catheter –  a prospective randomized study with special reference to setting, parity and obesity

Abstract

Purpose: Induction of labor (IOL) is typically performed during office hours, possibly leading to delivery during duty time. We aimed to evaluate timing between IOL with catheter and delivery. Methods: Altogether, 108 women with planned IOL were included in prospective randomized study. Five different time intervals were evaluated: 1) insertion to expulsion of catheter 2) expulsion of catheter to delivery 3) amniotomy to delivery 4) IOL to delivery and 5) the total admission time by setting (outpatient [OP]/inpatients [IP]), parity (primiparous/multiparous) and body mass index (obese/non-obese). Results: For IOL setting, the time in the hospital was 17.5 hours longer in the IP group, with no other differences. All time intervals were longer for primiparous than for multiparous women. The same was true for obese women, compared to non-obese women, except in the insertion–expulsion time. When IOL was performed during office hours, 57.4% of women delivered between 6pm and 6am, and 42.6% between 6am and 6pm (P=0.124). Furthermore, 66.7% of multiparous and 50.0% of obese women delivered between 6pm and 6am, with no difference between settings. Conclusions: The setting of catheter IOL did not compromise delivery times. Instead, parity and marginally obesity showed importance.