Maternal characteristics and induction methodologies as predictors of delivery outcomes: A retrospective analysis of inductions of labor.

Objective: To analyze maternal characteristics, induction methods, and their association with delivery outcomes in women undergoing induction of labor (IOL).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 947 women who underwent IOL at the Princess Royal University Hospital during the period from April 2018 to April 2019. Out of 4316 total births during the study period, 947 women underwent IOL and were included in our analysis. Statistical analyses were performed using STATA version 17.0, with appropriate statistical tests including χ tests, t tests, and logistic regression models.

Results: The overall vaginal delivery rate was 71.7% (n = 679) (51.4% (n = 487) spontaneous, 20.3% (n = 192) instrumental), with 28.3% (n = 268) requiring cesarean section. Nulliparity was significantly associated with higher cesarean rates compared with multiparity (39.1% (n = 101/259) versus 24.3% (n = 167/688), P < 0.001; odds ratio [OR] 2.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.52-2.66). Women with a body mass index (BMI; calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters) of 30 or greater had significantly higher cesarean section rates than those with normal BMI (35.4% (n = 91/257) versus 23.2% (n = 94/406), P < 0.001; OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.34-2.47). The mean time from induction to birth was 28.4 h (range 1.05-71.78 h). Logistic regression analysis identified parity (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.49-0.76), BMI (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.03-1.09), and maternal age (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.05) as independent predictors of cesarean delivery.

Conclusion: Maternal characteristics, particularly parity and BMI, significantly influence delivery outcomes following IOL. Understanding these factors can help optimize patient selection, counseling, and management strategies for IOL. Although statistically significant associations were identified, the clinical significance of some factors requires careful interpretation in individual patient counseling.

Registration Number: Clinical Audit Committee Registration Number: 615/23052025.