Women's experiences of induction of labour--findings from a Swedish regional study

Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 2011 Apr;51(2):151-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1479-828X.2010.01262.x. Epub 2011 Jan 31.

Abstract

Background: Induction of labour is common in modern obstetrics but its impact on women's birth experiences is inconclusive.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to explore the prevalence of induction in a Swedish region and reasons for labour induction. A second aim was to compare the experience of spontaneous labour and birth for women to the experience of induction of labour. A third aim was to explore the difference in labour in relation to the length of pregnancy.

Methods: A one-year cohort of 936 women was included in a longitudinal Swedish survey in which data were collected by questionnaires, two months after birth. The main outcome was a set of data recording women's birth experiences.

Results: Labour induction was performed in 17% of births and mostly performed for medical reasons. Women who were induced used more epidurals (OR 2.3; 95% CI 1.4-3.8) for pain relief and used bath/shower less frequently for pain relief (OR 0.3; 95% CI 0.2-0.5). Labour induction was associated with a less positive birth experience (OR 1.5; 95% CI 1.0-2.3), and women who were induced were more likely to totally agree that they were frightened that the baby would be damaged during birth (OR 2.1; 95% CI 1.2-3.9), but the assessment of feelings during birth differed with regard to length of pregnancy.

Conclusion: Labour induction affects women's experiences of birth and is related to length of pregnancy.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cohort Studies
  • Delivery, Obstetric / psychology*
  • Delivery, Obstetric / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Labor, Induced / psychology*
  • Labor, Induced / statistics & numerical data
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Parturition / psychology
  • Patient Satisfaction*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / therapy*
  • Pregnancy Outcome
  • Prevalence
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Sweden
  • Time Factors