Characteristics of induced labors at Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital

Induction of labor (IOL) is a common obstetric practice which has increased in recent decades. The main objective of this study is to describe the characteristics of induced labor at Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital.

A descriptive, retrospective study was performed between January 1st and April 30t^h of 2014, by reviewing medical histories. A standardised registration has been used to collect data.

There were a total of 376 IOL, the incidence was 35.1%. The most frequent indications were premature rupture of membranes (33.9%) and gestational age of 41 completed weeks or more (16.7%). Oxytocin was used to start 66.8% of the IOL. Of all births, 61.4% were spontaneous vaginal births and 25.3% caesarean sections. An increase in the rate of caesarean sections was observed in the group of gestational age of 41 completed weeks or more (27.3%) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (29.8%). The main cause of dystocia was suspected fetal compromise (36.4%). Adaptation to extrauterine life was within the parameters of normality in 94% of the newborn infants.

Comparing the IOL with spontaneous labor, a decrease in spontaneous vaginal births and an increase in caesarean sections and operative vaginal births was observed in the inductions. This study provides relevant information to the professionals in the fields of gynaecology and obstetrics, and opens the way for future research to obtain results transferable to the clinical practice.