Outcomes and complications of pharmacological induction of labor in women with previous one cesarean section, in a referral center in Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVES: To review the outcomes, success rate, and safety of women undergoing labor induction following a cesarean section. METHODS: This study is a retrospective review of all patients who had previous cesarean sections and were induced with prostaglandin (PGE2) or for various indications. This study was carried out at King Saud Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between 2014 and 2019. Inclusion criteria were pregnant women with previous one lower segment cesarean section, singleton cephalic fetus, normal placenta, and passed 18 months or more from previous cesarean section. RESULTS: Records of 145 women were reviewed in the study, and the success rate of induction of labor was 59.3% (95% CI: 50.8-67.4%). The rate of uterine rupture was 1.4% and maternal complication was 4.8%. The induction success rate is higher in women who had previous successful vaginal delivery than those who had no previous vaginal delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Labor induction can be considered safe in carefully selected cases owing to its good chance of success and no significant increase in maternal or fetal mortality and morbidity.