Does Labor Induction at 39 Weeks' Gestation Have Consequences in Women 35 or Older?

About one quarter of pregnant women undergo induction of labor, which may be associated with excess risk for cesarean delivery. Because pregnant women aged ≥35 are at increased risk for stillbirth after 39 weeks' gestation, many such women undergo induction of labor; however, whether induction raises risk for cesarean delivery in this population remains unknown. Researchers in the U.K. randomized 619 women (≥39 weeks' gestation, aged ≥35) to induction of labor or expectant management.

Cesarean delivery rates did not differ between groups (32% and 33% in the induction and expectant management groups, respectively), and these rates rose with advancing maternal age in both groups. In the induction group, cesarean delivery rates were 25% (age ra…