Inducing labour in pregnant women without good medical reason could increase the risk of complications, Australian scientists have warned.
A research team at the University of Adelaide looked at data on more than 28,000 births that took place between 2006 and 2007.
The scientists found that induction for non-recognised reasons was associated with a 67 per cent increase in the risk of needing a caesarean section, compared with women who waited for labour to begin naturally.
Furthermore, unnecessary induction was linked to a greater risk of newborns requiring specialist care.
Dr Rosalie Grivell, whose findings are published in the journal Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, said: 'We hope our findings will increase awareness of the potential harmful effects that elective induction can have on both women and their infants.
'In the absence of serious maternal or foetal problems or a medical recommendation, induction of labour is best avoided.'
A study published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology last year (2011) found that maternal obesity was associated with an increased likelihood of induction of labour.