The ARRIVE trial (2018) assessed elective induction at 39 weeks in low-risk nulliparous women. Its main finding was:
- A Induction at 39 weeks reduced caesarean delivery rate and perinatal mortality without increasing morbidity ✓
- B Induction at 39 weeks significantly increased caesarean section rate
- C Induction at 39 weeks increased NICU admissions
- D No difference in caesarean rates but increased neonatal jaundice
Explanation
The ARRIVE trial (NEJM 2018) enrolled low-risk nulliparous women and demonstrated that elective induction at 39 weeks actually reduced the caesarean delivery rate (18.6% vs 22.2%) and perinatal mortality/morbidity was not increased. This counter-intuitive finding challenged the prior assumption that induction of labour always increases caesarean risk, and has shifted practice toward offering elective induction at 39 weeks.
Reference: Williams Obstetrics, 26th ed.
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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.