Induction of Labour in Nulliparous Women Beyond Term in a Low-Risk Population

• Published in: Zeitschrift fur Geburtshilfe und Neonatologie Vol. 223; no. 1; p. 33
• Main Authors: Pretscher, Jutta, Weiss, Christel, Dammer, Ulf, Stumpfe, Florian, Faschingbauer, Florian, Beckmann, Matthias W, Kehl, Sven
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: German
• Published: Germany 01-02-2019
• Subjects: Adult; Apgar Score; Cesarean Section; Female; Germany; Gestational Age; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Infant, Newborn; Labor, Induced; Logistic Models; Parity; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Pregnancy, Prolonged; Risk Factors; Germany
• ISSN: 1439-1651
• DOI: 10.1055/a-0664-9135

To evaluate the influence of gestational age on induction of labour in nulliparous women.
This historical cohort study analyzed inductions of labour in low-risk nulliparous women. Therefore the collective was divided into 3 groups (group 1: 40+0 to 40+6 weeks of gestation, group 2: 41+0 to 41+3 weeks of gestation, group 3:>41+3 weeks of gestation). The primary outcome measure was the caesarean section rate.
The caesarean section rate was not different among the 3 groups (p=0.4036). The impact of gestational age on induction in multivariable analysis was not significant. Maternal BMI (p<0.0001), maternal age (p=0.0005) and birth weight (p=0.0151) had an influence on the caesarean section rate. Regarding the secondary outcome measures such as umbilical cord blood pH, Apgar score and postpartal neonatal intensive care unit admission, no statistically significant differences have been revealed among the groups.
Timing of labour induction after 40+0 weeks of gestation in a low-risk population of nulliparous women did not influence the caesarean section rate.