Factors associated with emergency cesarean delivery during induction of labor in nulliparous women aged 35 years or older at term.

AIM: To examine the intrapartum cesarean delivery rate following failure of induction of labor (IOL) as well as risk factors associated with failed IOL among nulliparous women of advanced maternal age (AMA).

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study conducted at a single perinatal care center. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of nulliparous AMA women (aged 35 years or older) with singleton vertex pregnancy who underwent IOL at term. Data regarding maternal baseline characteristics and pregnancy course, including complications during pregnancy and maternal status at time of IOL, were collected. Rate of emergency cesarean section (eCS) as well as risk factors associated with failed IOL were investigated by means of logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Among 234 women included in this study, 103 (44%) had failed IOL and delivered by eCS. Hypertensive disorder during pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0-4.12; P = 0.025) and unfavorable cervical status (aOR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.08-3.41; P = 0.038) were identified as independent risk factors for failed IOL.

CONCLUSION

IOL failed in 44% of nulliparous AMA women. Hypertensive disorder and immature cervical status should be considered as independent risk factors for eCS among such women.