Indications for labour induction have been contentious: guidelines from WHO and major professional organizations have lists limited overlap. Recently, randomised trial data comparing labour induction to conservative management specific to diabetes, premature membrane rupture, large for dates fetuses and others have reported.

Subcategorization of the term pregnancy into early term (37-38 weeks), full term (39-40 weeks) and late term (41 weeks) is starker with better understanding of offspring risks at these delivery gestations. Full term (39-40 weeks) delivery has the best outcome. Conventional belief is that labour induction increases risk of Caesarean delivery. Recent meta-analyses have consistently found that term labour induction may reduce Caesarean risk even in low risk women. These findings lend to the plausible belief that labour induction at 39-40 weeks may be appropriate. Trial evidence to test this hypothesis is forthcoming.

Labour induction is still problematic in unfavourable nulliparas. Network meta-analyses indicate that oral misoprostol for cervical ripening and labour induction may be best compared to other prostaglandin preparations or other routes of administration and to mechanical methods. Changed expectations to induction response and labour progress have the potential to reduce Caesarean delivery after labour induction.