After Rising for 20 Years, Labor Induction Rate Declines, Says NCHS
July 11, 2014 | Strategic Insights for Ambulatory Care
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Between 1981 and 2006, the number of infants born at less than 39 weeks' gestation increased drastically, reports the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) in a June 2014 NCHS Data Brief. This increase has been associated with greater rates of induction of labor and cesarean delivery. Since 2006, however, early births (earlier than 39 weeks) have decreased by more than 20%. Beginning in 2011 and continuing through 2012, overall rates of induction of labor decreased as well, from 23.8% in 2010 to 23.3% in 2012.