This podcast provides a nice description of the retrospective cohort study performed by Dr. Palatnik and colleagues.

Few studies have been performed to evaluate elective induction of labor in the obese population, however those that have been performed have conflicting results. Dr. Palatnik performed a retrospective cohort study from the Consortium on Safe Labor comparing obese women with a singleton gestation who underwent elective induction at >39 weeks versus expectant management.

Their outcomes of interest includes cesarean section rate (primary outcomes), and adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes (including 3rd/4th degree laceration, postpartum hemorrhage, blood transfusion, endometritis, would infection, apgar score