The ARRIVE study (A Randomized Trial of Induction Versus Expectant Management), originally presented at the SMFM 2018 Annual Meeting, has been published (Grobman et al., NEJM, 2018). The goal of this study was to determine if elective induction of labor (IOL) of low-risk nulliparous women at 39 weeks reduces adverse perinatal and neonatal morbidity compared to expectant management. SMFM released a statement (August 2018), endorsed by ACOG that addresses the ARRIVE findings.
It is reasonable to offer elective IOL to low-risk, nulliparous women at or beyond 39 weeks and 0 days of gestation. We recommend that providers who choose this approach ensure that women meet eligibility criteria of the ARRIVE trial.
We recommend against offering elective IOL to women under circumstances that are inconsistent with the ARRIVE study protocol unless performed as part of research or quality improvement.
We recommend that further research be conducted to measure the impact of this practice in settings other than a clinical trial.
Our data suggest that 1 cesarean delivery may be avoided for every 28 deliveries among low-risk nulliparous women who plan to undergo elective induction of labor at 39 weeks.
Labor Induction versus Expectant Management in Low-Risk Nulliparous Women
SMFM Statement: Elective induction of labor in low-risk nulliparous women at term: The ARRIVE trial
ACOG Announcement: Leaders in Obstetric Care Respond to the Published Results of the ARRIVE Trial
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