Induction of labor compared to expectant management in low-risk women and associated perinatal outcomes

Objective We sought to examine the association of labor induction and perinatal outcomes. Study Design This was a retrospective cohort study of low-risk nulliparous women with term, live births. Women who had induction at a given gestational age (eg, 39 weeks) were compared to delivery at a later gestation (eg, 40, 41, or 42 weeks). Results Compared to delivery at a later gestational age, those induced at 39 weeks had a lower risk of cesarean (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.88–0.91) and labor dystocia (aOR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.84–0.94). Their neonates had lowered risk of having 5-minute Apgar