Inducing labour in pregnant women when it is not medically necessary is more likely to result in complications at birth, new research has found.
Data from more than 28,000 births in South Australia show that electing to induce labour leads to an increased chance of mothers requiring a caesarean section.
It also saw an increased risk of newborns requiring treatment in Special Baby Care Units, when compared with babies born after a spontaneous onset of labour.
The results show that when medically appropriate, awaiting the spontaneous onset of labour is best.
Read more at University of Adelaide