Biomedical Letters

Induction of Labor and its Effect on Primary Cesarean Delivery: A Review

Madhu Shakya 1, Tao Duan 1, 2*

1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Changle Road 536,Shanghai 200040,China

2 Shanghai Woman's Healthcare Institute, Shanghai, China

Abstract

Labor induction nowadays is commonly used all over the world and it has been increasing. Researches are being done for newer and effective methods of labor induction and cervical ripening. The goal of labor induction is to achieve vaginal delivery by stimulating uterine contractions before the onset of spontaneous labor. Induction of labor is said to be successful if the cervix is ripen because it reduces the induction to delivery time and rate of failed induction. Cesarean section was thought to be increased by the use of labor induction methods but recent studies showed that neither cesarean delivery nor perinatal morbidity or mortality was increased by induction of labor. This article summarizes currently available labor induction methods and their effectiveness and safety on primary cesarean section, operative vaginal delivery, neonatal outcomes and other available evidences based on well conducted clinical trials.

Keywords: Cesarean section, double balloon catheter, foley catheter, induction of labor, misoprostol, prostaglandins.

Received November 10, 2015 Revised November 21, 2015 Accepted December 23, 2015

*Correspondence: Tao Duan Email tduan@yahoo.com