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It seems that there is conflicting evidence on whether inducing labour causes an increase in the likelihood that a caesarian section becomes medically necessary.

Let me quote two authorities:

British Medical Journal

“Outcomes of elective induction of labour compared with expectant management: population based study”, BMJ 2012; 344 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.e2838 (Published 10 May 2012)

Conclusions and policy implications

Our finding that elective induction of labour is not strongly associated with an increased odds of caesarean section and is associated with a reduction in maternal complications, goes against obstetric dogma but supports evidence from a recent systematic review comparing elective induction of labour with expectant management, where induction of labour was associated with about a 20% reduction in caesarean section.

Mayo Clinic

Website: Labor induction: Risks

The need for a C-section. Labor induction is more likely to result in the need for a C-section — particularly if you've never given birth before and your cervix hasn't already begun to thin, soften and dilate (unfavorable cervix).

I would like to know which is correct - or perhaps why the two authorities differ. Does inducing labour increase the risk that a C-section will be necessary?

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It may vary by country. In the US, a drug that's not FDA approved for induction (I think it's like the morning after pill) is used to stimulate powerful contractions. It's possible this practice varies and may affect induction outcomes. I hope this is a useful starting place for some research. – William Grobman Oct 11 '12 at 13:56
@WilliamGrobman: It's a good point you make about the distinction between the commonly prescribed induction methods and fake methods. My intention was to address only the methods prescribed by physicians (pitocin). – Brian M. Hunt Oct 11 '12 at 19:37
Many physicians prescribe cytotec in addition to pitocin. While it's not FDA approved for induction, one of the side effects can be premature delivery and it's even used for chemical abortion. In the USA, at least, physicians can prescribe drugs for non-approved use. Since this method may be less well understood, it's possible that different practices regarding its use could affect the data on C-sections. – William Grobman Oct 12 '12 at 16:02
wouldn't inducing labor be primarily used when the natural process isn't working correctly to begin with so a C-section would be a likely outcome whether labor was induced or not? – Ryathal Oct 12 '12 at 17:24

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