Induction of Labor

Excerpt

Induction of labor (IOL) is a common obstetric intervention that stimulates the onset of labor using artificial methods. Rates of labor induction have nearly doubled since 1990. There is substantial variation in IOL rates worldwide, and this can be attributed to variability in the guidelines and lack of consensus on the clinical practice guidelines on IOL. Nowadays, in high-income countries, the proportion of neonates born following IOL is estimated to be approximately 25%. In contrast, the corresponding rates are generally lower in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). This article reviews indications, contraindications, complications, and methodologies for labor induction (IOL).