BACKGROUND:
Induction of labour (IOL) rates are increasing worldwide. Up to one in three women experiences IOL in high-income countries. Indications for IOL have been widened to medically less urgent indications. Several countries have introduced outpatient IOL to mitigate medicalisation, offer women-centered care and save hospital resources. However, there is a lack of research on women’s experience of low-risk IOL and especially IOL in an outpatient setting.

OBJECTIVES:
To study women´s experience of low-risk IOL in inpatient and outpatient settings.

METHODS:
As part of the randomised Swedish multicenter Outpatient induction of labour (OPTION) trial (EU CT-number: 2023-507164-39-00), women answered questionnaires before randomisation and three months after birth including free text questions. The free text answers from the questionnaires were analysed with qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS:
The first 1500 women randomised within the OPTION trial to either inpatient or outpatient IOL during 2021-2024 were included. Participants were included at the participating 31 out of 45 Swedish delivery clinics. Maternal characteristics were extracted at the study population level from the Swedish Pregnancy Register. Preliminary results show that women’s attitudes and expectations, information and involvement in decision making, support of the staff and the IOL setting significantly affect their experience. Final results will be available for presentation at the conference.

CONCLUSIONS:
Information regarding IOL and the IOL setting contributes to women’s experiences of IOL and overall birth experience. This study highlights several areas that could improve women’s overall IOL experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

KEY MESSAGE:
IOL is the most common intervention among pregnant women. Several factors regarding information, support and IOL setting have been identified that can promote a positive experience. Poster session 1 (Group A)