Offering induction of labor for 22-week premature rupture of membranes: a survey of obstetricians

Abstract

Objective: To describe obstetricians’ induction counseling practices for 22-week preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) and identify provider characteristics associated with offering induction. Methods: Surveyed 295 obstetricians on their likelihood (0–10) of offering induction for periviable PPROM across 10 vignettes. Twenty-two-week vignettes were analyzed, stratified by parental resuscitation preference. Bivariate analyses identified physician characteristics associated with reported likelihood ratings. Results: Obstetricians (N=205) were not likely to offer induction. Median ratings by preference were as follows: resuscitation 1.0, uncertain 1.0 and comfort care 3.0. Only 41% of obstetricians were likely to offer induction to patients desiring comfort care. In addition, several provider-level factors, including practice region, parenting status and years in practice, were significantly associated with offering induction. Conclusions: Obstetricians do not readily offer induction when counseling patients with 22-week ruptured membranes, even when patients prefer palliation. This may place women at risk for infectious complications without accruing a neonatal benefit from prolonged latency.