The Norwegian Induction Project: a Pilot for a Prospective National Audit

In 2000 the Norwegian national induction rate was 8.8% of all births, but this increased to 21.8% in 2016. The regional induction rate varies between counties, varying from 17.7% of all births in Nordland to 24.0% in Rogaland. Individual units could have an even wider variation. There are reports of a high rate of induction in primiparous women. In some units, local audits have noted that in 2016, over 27% of primiparous women had their labour induced. Labour inductions in primiparous women (Robson group 2a) may be associated with an increased likelihood of caesarean sections and operative vaginal delivery. An increased caesarean rate in primiparous women will have implications for subsequent pregnancies. In Hammerfest Hospital, the caesarean section rate in Robson group 2a was 37% in 2016.

In Norway, induction of labour is offered in approximately 50 obstetric units. There are national guidelines available for the induction of labour from the Norwegian Gynaecological Society and from the Department of Health. , These guidelines are not categorical and leave the decision for the specific method, or regimen for labour induction, up to the attending gynaecologist or local departments. Thus, the national protocols between departments vary considerably and women living in different regions of Norway do not have the same options for induction of labour.

The Norwegian situation reflects the international situation where multiple induction protocols exist. There is no consensus regarding the medical criteria for the identification of women for induction of labour, nor the induction methods or protocols used.

Aim

The overall aim of this study is to identify disparities between delivery departments in Norway in regards to:

1. The overall rate of labour induction
2. Main indication for the induction of labour.
3. Induction methods used and protocols followed
4. Maternal and fetal outcomes in induced births

Methods:

Observational study where we perform a prospective registration of induction indication, methods and outcomes in induced women on a common internet platform electronic case record form (e-CRF) through Service For Sensitive Data/Tjeneste For Sensitive Data (TSD), University of Oslo (UiO).

Participating centres

1. AHUS
2. Arendal
3. Bærum
4. Drammen
5. Førde
6. Gjøvik
7. Haugesund
8. Hammerfest
9. Haukeland
10. Levanger
11. Lillehammer
12. Nordland Sentralsykehus
13. OUS Ullevål
14. OUS Rikshospitalet
15. Sykehuset i Vestfold
16. Sykehuset i Telemark
17. Tromsø
18. Trondheim
19. Kristiansand
20. Stavanger
21. Sykehuset Østfold, Kalnes
22. Ålesund

Data registration and project management :

Establishing an e-CRF at Service For Sensitive Data/Tjeneste For Sensitive Data (TSD) University of Oslo (UiO) (which each participating centre can access online to register variables. Project leader will apply for ethics permission from the Regional Ethics Committee. Each participating centre will apply for database permission from the local Protector of Patient Records (Personvernansvarlig).

Ethical considerations:

The individual health staff responsible for patient care will provide information about the study in Norwegian and English following the medical decision (that is taken independent of this study) to induce the patient. The patient has the right to refuse participation in the study.

Project committee:

Ingvil Krarup Sørbye, Kevin Sunde Oppegaard, Anne Flem Jacobsen

International advisor: Professor Andrew D. Weeks, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Liverpool Women's Hospital, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool, L8 7SS, UK.