A Comparative Study of Maternal-Fetal Outcomes in Pregnant Women With Induction of Labor and Spontaneous Onset of Labor in a Rural Tertiary Care Center

OBJECTIVE: The present prospective observational study was conducted to study the incidence, indications, and outcomes of induction of labor in a tertiary care center. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study group of this prospective cross-sectional study was constituted by all term pregnant women underwent trial of labor. The whole study group was further subdivided in two groups, group 1: Was having all pregnant women with spontaneous onset of labor pains and group 2 was containing all pregnant women underwent induction of labor. For induction only prostaglandins (PGE(1) 25 microgram tablet and PGE2 gel) were used. The measure of outcome included assessment of the incidence of induction in term pregnant women, major indications of induction of labor, duration of labor, mode of delivery, intrapartum and postpartum maternal-fetal complications and duration of hospital stay. The study group included 3264 pregnant women and was differentiated into group 1 with 2,588 pregnant women and group 2 with 676 pregnant women. RESULTS: The incidence of induction was 20.71%. Major indications of induction were a fetus who was postdates, premature rupture of membranes, and preeclampsia. The average duration of the induction to delivery interval was 19.13 +/- 15.14 hours (hrs.) and admission to delivery interval in the spontaneous labor group was 8.79 +/- 07.18 hrs. The incidence of cesarean delivery was 19.52% in the induction group (gp2). Failed induction was the most common indication of lower segment cesarean section (CS). The incidence of CS was 15.99% in spontaneous group (gp1) and fetal distress was most common indication in this group. With this study, we found the importance of rest after the induction process was completed. During this watchful rest period, 51 pregnant women delivered vaginally. The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission and neonatal death rate was more in group 1. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that the incidence and indications of induction of labor among term pregnant women were similar to developed countries in spite of active physical life. The complication rate, operative intervention and hospital stay was more with induction group.