Vol. 9, Issue 11 (2020)

Author(s):
Dipti K Nandedkar, Sachin Nandedkar and Jayesh Kumar

Abstract:
There has been a growing trend in the number of women who require induction of labour (IOL) and cervical ripening. IOL should be performed only in cases where there is a clear medical indication and the expected benefits outweigh the potential harms. Cervical ripening methods include both mechanical (e.g., intracervical balloon catheter; membrane sweeping and Laminaria etc.) and pharmacological methods (e.g., prostaglandins and oxytocin). IOL is associated with potential risks to both the woman and her foetus. This article provides a review of the trends of induction of labour and cervical ripening, medical indications, different methods of indication and associated risks of IOL.