Induction of labor

Induction of labor is one of the most common procedures in obstetrics and one of the fastest growing medical procedures in the United States. The rate of labor induction in the United States continues to rise significantly for all gestational ages. Final data for the year 2003 from the National Center for Health Statistics indicated that the rate was 20.6% for the year 2002, more than twice the 1989 level of 9% [1]. The reason for this increase is unclear, although it may partly reflect a growing use of labor induction for postterm. pregnancies and an increasing trend toward elective induction of labor.