Early induction of labor in high-risk intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy: what are the costs?

Purpose: Induction of labor among pregnant women with high levels of total bile acid (TBA) is common among clinicians. We examined, if women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) and TBA ≥ 40 μmol/l have a higher risk of maternal-fetal complications, when labor is induced at 37 weeks of gestation, compared with induction of labor at term in women with low-risk ICP.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of 16,185 women delivering at Roskilde University Hospital in the period 2006-2011.