Effects of maternal age on the mode of delivery following induction of labor in nulliparous term pregnancies: A retrospective cohort study

Background and Aim Increased maternal age at the time of pregnancy and labor is believed to have potential complications. To evaluate the effects of maternal age on the mode of delivery among nulliparous women with term pregnancies who underwent labor induction. Methods In this retrospective cohort study, 313 women with the gestational age of at least >= 37 weeks, were enrolled. They were divided based on their maternal ages as: Group A < 35 years old (y/o) and Group B >= 35 y/o patients. Demographic features and other variables (i.e., past medical history, social history, indications and methods of labor induction, causes of cesarean delivery) were recorded from patients' files. Final outcomes were categorized as: primary (i.e., rate of cesarean section: C/S) and (b) secondary (i.e., duration of labor, postpartum complications, neonatal variables). All data were analyzed by the SPSS ver.21 software. Results Median and interquartile ranges of gestational age were not significantly different, comparing the two groups (p = 0.415), although these variables were significantly different regarding maternal height among the two groups (p = 0.007). There was a significant relationship between the methods of labor induction among the two groups (p = 0.005). There was a prominent statistical relationship between (a) C/S deliveries and also (b) indications of C/S among the two groups (p = 0.004 and p = 0.033, respectively). Univariate logistic regression test revealed maternal age groups, neonatal weight, and history of underlying diseases had significant results (p < 0.05). Conclusions Increased maternal age is associated with higher rates of CS among nulliparous women with term pregnancies who underwent labor induction.