The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended
labor induction at 42 weeks of gestation.
Oral or vaginal misoprostol for
labor induction and cesarean delivery risk.
Oral versus vaginal misoprostol for
labor induction. J Pak Med Assoc 2007; 57: 404-7.
On the other hand, mechanical devices for
labor induction are unpleasant, have a higher risk of maternal and neonate infection, as well as the risk of hemorrhage and need for oxytocin.
Grobman and his colleagues evaluated the deliveries of 3,062 women who underwent
labor induction between 39 weeks of gestation and 39 weeks and 4 days of gestation, and compared them with outcomes of 3,044 women who received expectant management until 40 weeks and 5 days of gestation.
(12,13,14) Women may have less fear during
labor induction than those not undergoing induction, especially when they are involved in the decision making process.
Comparison of the efficacy and safety of titrated oral misoprostol and a conventional oral regimen for cervical ripening and
labor induction. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2012;116(1):13-6.
Liston, "Effect of
labor induction on rates of still birth and caesarean section," Canadian Medical Association Journal, vol.
Labor induction increases the chances of Caesarean section especially in primigravidas as cervix fails to soften and open.
Due to high numbers of CS among induced pregnancies at the clinic of Sodersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden, a decision of changing the method for
labor induction was taken in 2011.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved misoprostol for
labor induction or cervical ripening yet, but this medication has been used successfully in several clinical trials.
Background: In China, no multicenter double-blinded prospective randomized controlled study on
labor induction has been conducted till now.