FAILED INDUCTION OF LABOUR

Summary 3,359 women who had labour induced by amniotomy were reviewed and if the patient required to be delivered by Caesarean section the reasons for failure of vaginal delivery were assessed. The indications for Caesarean section were many and varied, but the most common factor was a failure of the uterus to act properly, although other indications were frequently present. In almost 2 per cent of patients induced, Caesarean section was required for defective uterine activity alone.