Term: Induction of Labour

Glossary Definition

Last Updated: 2012-11-05

Definition:

Labour Induction is the act of stimulating labour contractions to begin the birthing process, through either physical or medical means. Physical methods of induction include the artificial rupture of the membranes to break the water. Medical methods include the intravenous administration of the chemical oxytocin to initiate labour. Note that induction of labour is akin to the term augmentation of labour in method, but induction is only carried out before the onset of labour.

In Martens et al. (2008), induction of labour included only medical induction, defined by ICD-9-CM procedure code 73.4 (medical induction of labour) in any procedure field on an obstetrical hospital discharge abstract.

In Heaman et al. (2012), a women was considered to have received an induction of labour by the presence of the CCI code of 5.AC.30.^^. Specifically in our data the following codes appeared: 5AC.30.AL-12, 5.AC.30.CA-12, 5.AC.30.CK-12, 5.AC.30.GU-12, 5.AC.30.HA-12, 5.AC.30.YA-12, 5.AC.30.YB-12, 5.AC.30.ZZ-12, 5.AC.30.AN, 5.AC.30.AZ, 5.AC.30.CA-Z9, 5.AC.30.CK, 5.AC.30.CK-A2, 5.AC.30.CK-BD, 5.AC.30.CK-W6, and 5.AC.30.AP.

Related concepts 

• Maternal and Newborn Health Status Indicators

Related terms 

• Augmentation of Labour
• Canadian Classification of Health Interventions (CCI)
• CCI
• Hospital Abstracts Data
• ICD-9-CM
• International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, with Clinical Modifications (ICD-9-CM)

References 

• Heaman M, Kingston D, Helewa M, Brownell M, Derksen S, Bogdanovic B, McGowan K, Bailly A. Perinatal Services and Outcomes in Manitoba. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2012. [Report] [Summary] [Updates and Errata] (View)
• Martens P, Fransoo R, The Need to Know Team, Burland E, Prior H, Burchill C, Romphf L, Chateau D, Bailly A, Ouelette C. What Works? A First Look at Evaluating Manitoba's Regional Health Programs and Policies at the Population Level. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2008. [Report] [Summary] [Additional Materials] (View)