Labor Induction versus Expectant Management in Low-Risk Nulliparous Women.

Journal Article (Journal Article;Multicenter Study)

BACKGROUND: The perinatal and maternal consequences of induction of labor at 39 weeks among low-risk nulliparous women are uncertain. METHODS: In this multicenter trial, we randomly assigned low-risk nulliparous women who were at 38 weeks 0 days to 38 weeks 6 days of gestation to labor induction at 39 weeks 0 days to 39 weeks 4 days or to expectant management. The primary outcome was a composite of perinatal death or severe neonatal complications; the principal secondary outcome was cesarean delivery. RESULTS: A total of 3062 women were assigned to labor induction, and 3044 were assigned to expectant management. The primary outcome occurred in 4.3% of neonates in the induction group and in 5.4% in the expectant-management group (relative risk, 0.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.64 to 1.00). The frequency of cesarean delivery was significantly lower in the induction group than in the expectant-management group (18.6% vs. 22.2%; relative risk, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.76 to 0.93). CONCLUSIONS: Induction of labor at 39 weeks in low-risk nulliparous women did not result in a significantly lower frequency of a composite adverse perinatal outcome, but it did result in a significantly lower frequency of cesarean delivery. (Funded by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; ARRIVE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01990612 .).

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Grobman, WA; Rice, MM; Reddy, UM; Tita, ATN; Silver, RM; Mallett, G; Hill, K; Thom, EA; El-Sayed, YY; Perez-Delboy, A; Rouse, DJ; Saade, GR; Boggess, KA; Chauhan, SP; Iams, JD; Chien, EK; Casey, BM; Gibbs, RS; Srinivas, SK; Swamy, GK; Simhan, HN; Macones, GA; Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Maternal–Fetal Medicine Units Network,

Published Date

  • August 9, 2018

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 379 / 6

Start / End Page

  • 513 - 523

PubMed ID

  • 30089070

Pubmed Central ID

  • PMC6186292

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1533-4406

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1056/NEJMoa1800566

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States