Fetal Gender Effects on Induction of Labor in Postdate Pregnancies

OBJECTIVE: To determine delivery outcome in women undergoing induction of labor for postdate pregnancy in relation to fetal gender. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 365 nulliparous and 127 multiparous women carrying singleton postdate pregnancies with unfavorable cervix were enrolled. Clinical characteristics and delivery outcome were analyzed in relation to fetal gender. RESULTS: Women carrying male fetuses showed higher rate of caesarean section than those carrying females, in both nulliparous and multiparous women. Moreover, women carrying male fetuses presented more frequently with (i) interval between induction of labor and delivery >24 hours (P < .0002); (ii) augmentation of labor after cervical ripening (P < .0391); (iii) meconium-stained liquor (P< .0126); and (iv) higher neonatal weight (P < .0011) than those carrying females. CONCLUSION: Male fetuses are more likely to be associated with higher rates of cesarean section. In maternal fetal medicine, gender differences may add prognostic information on the delivery outcome in women induced for postdate pregnancy