How safe is elective induction – analysis in a tertiary care hospital in rural Punjab

Objectives: The aims of the study were to analyse whether electively induced labour place the mother or her fetus at an increased risk as compared to patients in spontaneous labour and also to quantify the risk of caesarean section in the induced group. Methods: A prospective analysis comparing 150 electively induced parturients with 150 matched controls who laboured spontaneously in Gian Sagar Medical College and Hospital from July 2010 to July 2011 was done. The patients were between 37 and 41 weeks of pregnancy and had no complications necessitating induction of labour. Results: Induction per se was not associated with a statistically significant increase in caesarean rates. Only when associated with nulliparity, low bishop score, and birth weight >3.5 kg, the risk of caesarean increases. Elective induction is relatively safe and does not pose an increased risk of caesarean section in a carefully selected population. However when associated with risk factors the rate of caesarean section increases.