Perspectives and experiences of induction of labour: An Australian cross-sectional study

PROBLEM: Despite being the most common obstetric intervention, little is known about women's experiences of induction of labour (IOL). BACKGROUND: Rates of IOL have risen by 43 % in the past decade in Australia. There is limited evidence regarding women's experiences of IOL. Consumer experience is a key safety and quality indicator. AIM: To explore women's perspectives and experiences of IOL. METHODS: A cross-sectional method via anonymous online survey, recruited and collected data from consenting women who underwent IOL regardless of gestation, level of risk or model of care, at a tertiary site. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Qualitative data were analysed using inductive content analysis. FINDINGS: A total n = 546 women participated. Most (68.9 %) were satisfied with their care. Significant differences were found in women's experiences by parity, model of care and for those not speaking English at home. Four key categories and corresponding concepts were identified. DISCUSSION: Findings provide novel evidence of women's experiences of IOL; offering new evidence, critical to contemporary maternity service planning. Inclusion of women in co-designed benchmarking of experiences and outcomes is recommended. CONCLUSION: This research provides comprehensive exploration of women's experiences of IOL in one of Australia's largest tertiary maternity services. Findings report common and divergent perspectives useful to support clinical care reform and service redesign. Remaining gaps in evidence are highlighted with recommendations for future research including addressing the rates of primiparous IOL, the impact of continuity of midwifery carer on IOL experience outcomes; and Aboriginal women's IOL experiences specifically.