[Results of a policy of labor induction]

In 1986 and 1987, among 1,323 patients who came in labour to the "Clinic Saint-Anne", 672 (50.8 p. cent) were induced without any pathological reason as part of a labour protocol. The technique used consisted in the combination of oxytocics and rupture of the membranes. 85 p. cent received a peridural anesthesia. Comparison between scheduled deliveries and spontaneous labour inductions show no significant difference concerning terms and birth weights. The labour is longer by an average of one hour in the group of scheduled deliveries. In this group, the percentage of caesarean sections is 8.2 p. cent versus 9.12 p. cent (NS). No child born following a scheduled delivery required resuscitation and only one was transferred to pediatrics (because of infection).