Induction Of Labour In Spain. A Multicenter Survey

BackgroundInduction of labour (IDP) is the artificial initiation of labour with the goal of achieving a vaginal delivery. IDP is one of the most frequently performed obstetric procedures in the world. Recent data indicate a highly variable percentage of induction depending on the country. MethodsA descriptive study was carried out on different aspects that are part of the ITP process through a survey prepared according to the Delphi method distributed among the 37 participating hospitals from June to October 2021. ResultsThe mean induction rate was 30.6%. The average rate of caesarean sections was 21.4%. 75% of the centers had a rate higher than 20% and only in 1 center was it lower than 15%. In 11 centers they were not available to use misoprostol and in 4 centers they did not have oxytocin as PDI. Mechanical methods were available in 23 hospitals. In 16 centers they had a double Cook balloon; in 5 they used a Foley catheter and in 2 hospitals they used both devices. In 4 hospitals they used mechanical methods simultaneously with prostaglandins. In all but 5 centers, continuous monitoring was performed in low-risk pregnancies, at least for the first hour. In these 5 centers, windows of 20 minutes were carried out from the start of the induction