BMI-Associated Labor Induction: A Prospective Trial

Obesity in the obstetric population has reached epidemic proportions, affecting over 30% of reproductive-aged women in the United States (1). The increase in this morbidity is associated with large increases in cesarean delivery over the non-obese obstetric population and resultant post-operative complications are also higher in obese women (2). There are no interventions proven to reduce the risk of cesarean in obese women. The aim of this research study is to determine if induction of labor at 39 weeks can reduce the incidence of cesarean delivery over routine obstetric care (expectant management).