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Updated: Mar 18, 2026

External Cephalic Version: Is it an Effective and Safe Procedure?
Published on: June 6, 2020
Outcomes of induced versus spontaneous labor
Silvia Poma1, Luigia Scudeller2, Barbara Gardella3
1a Department of Anesthesia and Intensive care - Unit of Obstetric Anesthesia.
Purpose:
Induced labor is associated with a higher request for analgesia than spontaneous labor. This study compared duration of labor, mode of delivery, quantity of blood loss, type of perineal outcome and neonatal outcomes between women in induced labor and women in spontaneous labor, both on epidural analgesia (administered at cervical dilation ≤ 4 cm).
Methods:
In a two-year longitudinal cohort study, data were gathered from nulliparous women with a single cephalic pregnancy of at least 37 weeks attending the labor and delivery ward in Policlinico San Matteo Fundation-Pavia. Data were compared for women with early labor analgesia in (1) spontaneous labor (Robson group 1) and (2) induced labor (dinoprostone - vaginal insert or gel, Robson group 2a).
Results:
Of the 1104 women who underwent epidural analgesia in the study period, 531 were included: 326 in spontaneous labor and 205 in induced labor. The only significant difference found was duration of the first stage, which lasted 305 (200-390) min in spontaneous labor compared to 205 min (120-345) in induced labor (p <0.001).
Conclusions:
In women on early epidural analgesia, induction is associated with a shorter duration of the first stage of labor and does not affect other outcomes.
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Guidelines for Writing Outcome
Patient outcomes reflect the patient's response to the goal rather than what the nurse aims to achieve. Terminology should be observable and measurable to avoid the reader's interpretation. The desired outcome should be realistic and achievable in the designated care timeframe. Expected outcomes should align with adjunctive therapies. The outcome should enhance care...

