Vol. 6, Issue 1, Part A (2024)

Introduction: Induction of labour is one of the most common and important obstetric interventions. It is usually indicated when the benefits of delivery of the fetus outweighs the risk of continuing the pregnancy. The incidence varies between and within countries and regions. It is higher in developed countries than in the developing countries due to increasing rate of elective induction.

Objective: To compare progression of spontaneous versus induced labor in primigravida women.

Methods: A retrospective observational time-based study was conducted between January to June 2022 in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital, Gazipur, Bangladesh. A total of 100 participants were included in the study. These were divided into 2 groups. Those who had spontaneous onset of labor (50), and those in whom labor was induced (50). Labor progression in both was compared.

Results: Total study participants were 100 as per data collected in the age group 18 to 25 yrs., with gestational age 40 0/7 to 40 6/7 weeks. Among these 50 had spontaneous onset of labor and 50 underwent induction of labor. The mean duration of first stage was 6.47hrs in the induced labor group, and 5.93hrs in the spontaneous onset group. The rate of caesarean section was 12.0% in the spontaneous onset of labor group and 34.0% in the induced labor group, (P<0.032).

Conclusions: Induction of labor when done at the right gestational age for correct indication is beneficial to women as it reduces the complications caused due to the continuation of high-risk pregnancies.