Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026
External Cephalic Version: Is it an Effective and Safe Procedure?
Published on: June 6, 2020
Immediate neonatal outcomes after elective induction of labor
Laura Beebe1, Colene Beaty, William Rayburn
1Departments of Biostatistics and Epidemiology and of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oklahoma, Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, USA.
Objective:
To examine immediate neonatal outcomes associated with elective labor induction.
Study Design:
Labor inductions occurring at > or = 38 weeks' gestation were examined during a 6-month period at 2 community hospitals. Medical records were reviewed by trained abstractors to determine the reason for induction (elective vs. medical) and maternal characteristics. The need for newborn resuscitation (1-minute Apgar score < 4) was the primary end point. Multiple logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
Results:
Of the 364 inductions, 54.9% were elective. The odds of a 1-minute Apgar score being < or = 3 were significantly greater when labor was induced for elective reasons than for medical reasons (OR 5.5, 95% CI 1.1-27.9) or was spontaneous (OR 6.5, 95% CI 2.4-17.8), after controlling for mother's age, race and route of delivery. Elective induction was not associated with feal intolerance to labor, a low 5-minute Apgar score or need for admission to a special care nursery.
Conclusion:
An elective abortion induction is an independent risk factor for delivery of an infant requiring immediate attention.
