Elective induction of labour and maternal request: a national population-based study

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Reproductive Health
• Maternal Medicine

Background:

• Induction of labor is a common obstetric procedure.
• Elective inductions, performed without a clear medical indication, raise questions about maternal request and influencing factors.
• Understanding the rates and drivers of elective inductions is crucial for optimizing maternity care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the incidence of elective labor inductions in France.
• To ascertain the proportion of elective inductions that were requested by mothers.
• To identify factors associated with maternally requested and non-requested elective inductions.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional, population-based study utilizing data from the 2010 French National Perinatal Survey.
• Analysis of medical records for 14,681 women to classify inductions as elective.
• Polytomous logistic regression used to compare women with spontaneous labor to those undergoing elective inductions (maternally requested and not requested).

Main Results:

• The overall induction rate was 22.6%, with 13.9% classified as elective.
• Of elective inductions, 47.3% were requested by mothers.
• Higher parity (two or more previous births) and private hospital settings were significantly associated with both maternally requested and non-requested elective inductions.

Conclusions:

• Elective labor inductions are prevalent in France, with a substantial proportion initiated by maternal request.
• Maternal parity and the type of maternity unit (public vs. private) are key factors influencing the decision for elective induction.
• Further research is warranted to explore the nuanced decision-making process between women and obstetricians regarding elective inductions.