Induction of labor in primiparas with low-risk pregnancy

Abstract

Labor induction aims to promote the early birth by vaginal delivery when its continuity promotes more maternal-fetal risk than its interruption. This study aims to identify factors related to primipara's labor induction indication and their outcome in a maternity hospital. This is a descriptive study, conducted in MATER - Maternidade do Complexo Aeroporto (Airport's Complex Maternity), in Ribeirão Preto-SP. The study included 119 first-time mothers with medical records showing and undergoing induction of labor that gave birth in this maternity hospital from January to July of 2007. The most common indication for labor induction was premature chorion (58,8%), oligohydramnios (21%) and post-term pregnancy (16,8%). Misoprostol was the most appropriate drug, 37% alone and 61, 3% associated with oxytocion. The way of delivery was 63% vaginal. Fetal distress was the main indication for cesarean section (38, 5%). The maternal-fetal infectious disease was identified with the complication rate of only 7, 6%. Of the newborns, 68% obtained Apgar between 8 and 10 in the first minute of life and 118 of them reached these rates in the fifth minute. The results confirm the tendency that this procedure is an important strategy to reduce cesarean section rates.