Innovation in medical practice: Obstetricians and the induction of labour in Britain

It is suggested that the widespread adoption of induction and acceleration techniques reflects a tradition in obstetrics that favours interventionist procedures which involve close control over patients and appear to be “scientific”.

Abstract

In Britain, during the present decade there has been a very rapid increase in the use of induction and acceleration techniques for normal labour and delivery. This paper attempts to analyse some of the historical, social and technical processes that may underly this change in practice. Induction techniques carry some iatrogenic risks and do not seem to have very clear advantages for either doctors or their patients. It is suggested that the widespread adoption of these methods reflects a tradition in obstetrics that favours interventionist procedures which involve close control over patients and appear to be "scientific". There is little evidence that such techniques have been adequately assessed and can be said to represent rational medical practice. Increasing costs of hospital delivery and concern about possible iatrogenic risks among patients seem likely to modify obstetric practice in the future.