A Comparison of Fetomaternal Outcomes of Spontaneous and Induced Labour amongNulliparous Women: A Cross-sectional Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Manipur, India

Background: Labour induction is one of the most commonly done obstetric interventions. Due to rise in incidence of induced labour it is important to weigh in the associated fetomaternal complications. This study was undertaken to compare fetomaternal outcomes of spontaneous and induced labour among nulliparous women in a tertiary care hospital in Manipur. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 340 nulliparous women admitted in the hospital. Convenience sampling was done. A pre-designed proforma was used for data collection. Descriptive statistics like mean, standard deviation, frequency and percentage was used to summarise the data. Chi-square test and t test was used to check for association between variables of interest. Results: A total of 340 nulliparous women were included in the study, out of which 170 underwent spontaneous labour and 170 underwent induced labour. The most common indication for labour induction was post-dated pregnancy (n=84, 49.4%). The babies of women who underwent induced labour were more likely to have APGAR score <7 (P=0.041) and were more likely to have NICU admission (P=0.027) compared to babies of women who underwent spontaneous labour. There was no significant association between type of labour and maternal outcomes. Conclusion: Babies born by induced labour were more likely to have a low APGAR score and require NICU admission. Induction of labour should only be carried out when benefits of delivery outweigh the risk of continuing the pregnancy.