Rise in Induced Births Worries Doctors

A study reported in Sydney Morning Herald today found 1/3 pregnant women in NSW has her labour induced - a rise of >15% in past 10 years - with 1/2 of inductions done without a medical reason. Inducing labour, where women are given drugs such as oxytocin or prostaglandin to stimulate the cervix and start contractions, can increase the chances of a caesarean deliver or cause complications for both mother and baby. Both drugs also make labour more painful b/c contractions are stronger and longer, leading women to require more analgesia and more time to recover after the birth. The study also found that inductions in private hospitals had increased from 18% to 27%.