Abstract
Objective To investigate the cost-effectiveness of elective induction of labor at 41 weeks in nulliparous women. Study Design A decision analytic model comparing induction of labor at 41 weeks vs expectant management with antenatal testing until 42 weeks in nulliparas was designed. Baseline assumptions were derived from the literature as well as from analysis of the National Birth Cohort dataset and included an intrauterine fetal demise rate of 0.12% in the 41st week and a cesarean rate of 27% in women induced at 41 weeks. One-way and multiway sensitivity analyses were conducted to examine the robustness of the findings. Results Compared with expectant management, induction of labor is cost-effective with an incremental cost of $10,945 per quality-adjusted life year gained. Induction of labor at 41 weeks also resulted in a lower rate of adverse obstetric outcomes, including neonatal demise, shoulder dystocia, meconium aspiration syndrome, and severe perineal lacerations. Conclusion Elective induction of labor at 41 weeks is cost-effective and improves outcomes.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 137.e1-137.e9 |
Journal | American journal of obstetrics and gynecology |
Volume | 204 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 2011 |
Funding
This study was supported in part by contract 290-02-0017 from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, US Department of Health and Human Services . A.B.C. is supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation as a Physician Faculty Scholar Grant RWJF-61535 .
Keywords
- elective induction
- induction of labor
- postterm pregnancy
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Obstetrics and Gynecology