Elective Induction of Labour at 39 Weeks Compared With Expectant Management in Nulliparous Persons Delivering in a Community Hospital

Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine the impact of offering elective labour induction at 39 weeks gestation on perinatal and maternal outcomes in nulliparous people with low-risk pregnancies. MethodsThe charts of all pregnant people who delivered at Brockville General Hospital between September 2018 and December 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Perinatal and maternal outcomes of low-risk nulliparous pregnant people who underwent elective induction at 39 weeks and over were extracted and compared with those of low-risk nulliparous pregnant people who underwent expectant management. Exclusion criteria included multiparous people, high-risk pregnancies, multiple gestations, deliveries at less than 39 weeks gestation, and elective cesarean deliveries. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed. ResultsA total of 174 patients were included. Of these patients, 56 (32.2%) underwent elective induction of labour between 390 and 396 weeks gestation over the period of June 2020 to December 2021, whereas 118 (67.8%) were expectantly managed from 390 weeks gestation over the period of September 2018 to March 2020. Compared with expectant management, those in the 39+ weeks induction group had a significantly lower risk of cesarean delivery (odds ratio [OR] 0.39; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.15–0.99), composite adverse maternal outcomes (OR 0.34; 95% CI 0.12–0.97), and composite adverse perinatal outcomes (OR 0.26; 95% CI 0.074–0.92). ConclusionOur results suggest that elective induction of labour at 39 weeks gestation and over in low-risk nulliparous people is associated with lower risks of cesarean delivery, composite adverse maternal outcomes, and composite adverse perinatal outcomes than expectant management.