Fetomaternal Outcomes of Induced versus Spontaneous Labor in an Urban Omani Hospital

Induction of labor (IOL) is a common obstetric procedure with ongoing debate about its safety and efficacy. This study compared fetal and maternal outcomes between women who underwent IOL and those who experienced spontaneous labor.

This retrospective comparative study included 260 pregnant women with singleton pregnancies planned for vaginal delivery at Armed Forces Hospital, Muscat, divided into 130 women who underwent IOL and 130 who had spontaneous labor. Data were extracted from their hospital records. The fetomaternal outcomes of interest were mode of delivery, duration of labor stages, maternal complications, neonate's Apgar score, admission to neonatal intensive care unit, duration of hospital stay, and status at discharge.

The IOL rate was 18.2%. Compared with spontaneous labor, cesarean delivery and operative vaginal delivery were significantly higher in the IOL group (26.2% vs. 14.6% and 10.0% vs. 6.9%) respectively; (p = 0.031). Fetal distress was the leading indication for the operative deliveries (49.1%). Women with previous cesarean section had a significantly higher rate of operative delivery (p = 0.030). Maternal and neonatal complications were low and similar between the groups. The admission-to-delivery interval and total duration of hospital stay in hours were also significantly longer in induced parturients (33:58 ± 27:20 vs. 8:49 ± 13:09, p = 0.001 and 90:44 ± 57:00 vs 63:12 ± 98:29, p = 0.008, respectively).

Although IOL is associated with an increased risk of operative delivery, overall fetomaternal outcomes are comparable to those of spontaneous labor, supporting a similar safety profile. IOL should therefore be offered when clinically indicated. The associated possibility of longer hospital stay should be included in patient counseling and healthcare facility planning.