American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Volume 184, Issue 4 , Pages 611-619, March 2001

Temporal changes in rates and reasons for medical induction of term labor, 1980-1996☆

  • Barbara P. Yawn, MD, MSc

      Affiliations

    • Department of Research Rochester, Minnesota
    • ,
  • Peter Wollan, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Research Rochester, Minnesota
    • ,
  • Kimberly McKeon, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rochester, Minnesota
    • ,
  • Charles S. Field, MD

      Affiliations

    • Olmsted Medical Center, and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic. Rochester, Minnesota

Rochester, Minnesota

Received 27 December 1999; received in revised form 12 June 2000; accepted 21 July 2000.

Abstract 

Objective: This study was undertaken to assess temporal changes in rates and reasons for medical induction of term labor. Study Design: A retrospective medical record review was conducted on a population-based cohort of 1293 women with term deliveries. Results: The rate of medical labor induction increased from 12.9% in 1980 to 25.8% in 1995. Stated indications also changed, with a 2-fold increase in induction for postdate gestation, a 23-fold increase in induction for macrosomia, a 15-fold increase in elective induction, and a 22-fold decline in induction for premature rupture of membranes. The average gestational age at delivery of postdate pregnancies declined from 41.9 weeks in 1980 to 41.0 weeks in 1995. By 1995, the average maternal length of stay and the percentage of cesarean deliveries were higher among women with induced labor at term than among those with spontaneous labor at term. Conclusion: Induction of term labor has almost doubled in prevalence during the past 15 years. The most common indications are elective induction and postdate pregnancy, often applied to gestations of 40 to 41 weeks’ duration. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2001;184:611-9.)

Keywords:  Elective induction of labor, indications for induction of labor, induction of labor, postdate gestation

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☆ Reprint requests: Barbara P. Yawn, MD, MSc, Director of Research, Olmsted Medical Center, 210 Ninth St SE, Rochester, MN 55904.

PII: S0002-9378(01)88865-7

doi:10.1067/mob.2001.110292

American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Volume 184, Issue 4 , Pages 611-619, March 2001

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