Optimal timing of labour induction in contemporary clinical practice

Abstract

Induction of labour (IoL) is generally conducted when maternal and foetal risks of remaining pregnant outweigh the risks of delivery. With emerging literature around non-medically indicated IoL, contemporary clinical practice has seen an increase in IoL at 39 weeks' gestation. This review highlights recent evidence on the most common indications for IoL including gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, and post-term pregnancies. It also summarizes the evidence related to the timing of IoL for other common conditions based on recent literature reviews.

Keywords: Gestational diabetes; Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy; Induction of labour; Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy; Post-term pregnancy; Timing of labour induction.