The rate of induced labor in the United States has increased during the last two decades. Simpson and colleagues examined the effects of an educational program on induction rates as well as the reasons why some women choose to induce labor.

A 40-minute presentation on the benefits and risks of elective induction was incorporated into childbirth classes at a community hospital in Missouri. The benefits discussed centered on convenience while possible risks included cesarean delivery, pain, complications from a longer labor, the effects of pharmacologic agents, and neonatal morbidity. Women were also given cards with potential questions about induction they could ask their physician to encourage a dialogue.

In the seven months before the start of the education program, 36% of 1,694 eligible first-time mothers chose to induce labor: 35% of class attendees and 37% of nonattendees. In the seven months after the presentation was added to childbirth classes, 32% of 1,643 eligible first-time mothers chose to induce labor. Significantly fewer attendees (28%) than nonattendees (37%) chose induction.

Survey responses indicated that the classes influenced the women's decision. Furthermore, so did physicians: 43% of women whose physicians offered the induction option chose to be induced while 91% of those who weren't offered the option didn't. The most common reasons a woman chose induction were her physician saying her baby was getting big or that she was due or overdue.