Objective To evaluate the risks and benefits of routine labour induction at 41 +0 weeks' gestation for mother and newborn.Design Population-based retrospective cohort study of interinstitutional variation in labour induction practices for women at or beyond 41 +0 weeks' gestation. Conclusions Within the current range of clinical practice, there was no evidence that differential use of routine induction at 41 +0 weeks affected maternal or neonatal health outcomes.

Many caesareans for labour dystocia are performed early during labour (<4 cm dilation) or without oxytocin.