Induction of Labour among Pregnant Women in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in a Tertiary Care Centre

Abstract

Introduction: Induction of labour is the artificial initiation of uterine contraction by various means such as medical, surgical or mechanical with the aim of achieving vaginal delivery. Misoprostol, a prostaglandin E1 analogue is used popularly for the induction of labour in resource-limited health centres. The aim of the study was to find out the prevalence of induction of labour among pregnant women in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in a tertiary care centre. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women in a tertiary care centre from 3 February 2022 to 31 July 2022. Ethical approval was taken from the Institutional Review Committee. The women with a singleton pregnancy, reactive non-stress test, and adequate pelvis were included. Women with malpresentation, previous cesarean section, placenta previa, and cephalopelvic disproportion were excluded. Convenience sampling method was used. The point estimate was calculated at a 95% Confidence Interval. Results: Among 1355 pregnant women, the prevalence of induction of labour was found to be 135 (9.96%) (8.37-11.55, 95% Confidence Interval). Conclusions: The prevalence of induction of labour among pregnant women was found to be similar to other studies done in similar settings.

Keywords

• induction of labour; misoprostol; pregnancy.