Objective: To explore incidence of cesarean section among parturient women undergoing
induced versus spontaneous labour per gestational weeks. Methods: An exploratory descriptive
study was carried out at Labour and Delivery Ward at El Mansoura University Hospitals, Egypt.
This study comprised a convenience sample of 100 pregnant women out of 130 randomized
women who were admitted to Delivery Ward with induced or spontaneous labour with multi
parae, low risk women with no pregnancy or medical complications or prior cesarean section,
with 37-42 gestational weeks, singleton pregnancies and in vertex position. They were randomly
assigned into two groups; a total of 60 women had an induction of labour and 40 went into
spontaneous labour. Two tools were used: A structured interviewing questionnaire sheet was used
to collect the maternal and neonatal characteristics such as; maternal age, parity, newborn weight
and labour assessment sheet was used to assess vaginal versus cesarean section incidence
according to onset of labour per gestational weeks and induction as well as augmentation methods
for cesarean section. Results: Among 100 pregnancies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria, induced
labour had more risk of cesarean section compared with spontaneous labour onset with statistical
significant(p<0.001 in x2 test; OR 6.00; 95% confidence interval 2.453 – 14.678).The higher
caesarean section rate in the induction group was seen from (38-41) weeks. On the other hand, the
higher caesarean section rate was seen in the spontaneous group at 37 weeks and cervical ripening
was the highest agent used in induced labour as well as oxytocin for spontaneous onset of labour.
Conclusions and recommendation: In low risk multiparae women, induced labour has an
increased risk of cesarean section compared with spontaneous onset labour per gestational weeks
particularly when cervical ripening was required. Caesarean section incidence was higher in the
induction group than spontaneous labour, it was seen from (38-41) gestational weeks. It should be
prompt further and larger studies of the effect of induction of labour and its methods on caesarean
section rate per gestational weeks.