Expectant Management Versus Induction of Labour for Intrauterine Fetal Death

Objective: To compare the delivery outcome of patients managed with induction of labour versus spontaneous onset of labour following intrauterine fetal death. Methods: Women who had an intrauterine fetal death from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2015 in a regional hospital in Hong Kong were analysed to compare their delivery outcome following expectant management for spontaneous onset or induction of labour. The outcomes studied included the duration of labour, rate of infection, rate of coagulopathy, psychological stress, and other morbidities. Results: A total of 193 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria of whom 116 underwent labour induction and 51 elected spontaneous onset of labour; 26 patients were excluded from the analysis because 12 were already in active labour on admission, 13 changed their decision during the process, and one opted for Caesarean section. Patients with more advanced gestational age (p=0.004) and larger cervical dilatation (p