Approximately 20% of pregnant women globally undergo induction. In the USA, Europe, and Australia, the rate of IOL is even higher at 33%.
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The labor induction has a common 35% failure rate. Failed induction of labor (IOL) can lead to adverse outcomes for both mother and baby. It often results in cesarean section (C-section) delivery for the mother, which carries risks such as blood loss, infection, and longer recovery time. Failed IOL also increases the risk of preterm delivery in subsequent pregnancies. Additionally, it can lead to prolonged labor, maternal exhaustion, and longer hospital stays. For the baby, failed IOL increases the risk of distress, and the need for intensive care. From a healthcare perspective, failed IOL results in increased costs due to additional medical interventions such as C-sections, extended hospital stays, and neonatal intensive care.
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(References 1-7)
The Three-Decade Increase in Labor Induction Rates in Western Countries
Deep tech university project
The Inga project was discovered through a systematic process of immersing ourselves in hospital environments, carefully observing clinical activities, and conducting interviews with experts in perinatology, all within the framework of the Biodesign Finland project. We identified an unmet need for intelligent and personalized care in labor induction.
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The Inga concept is heavily influenced by the obstetric findings of Helsinki University Hospital's Associate professor, PhD, MD Leena Rahkonen and MD, PhD Heidi Kruit. Their extensive clinical work and over 15 years of research on induction of labor became the guiding factor behind the concept. We have a international mentoring team that consists of clinical and industry experts supporting us to achieve our goals and improve labor induction care worldwide.
The project is funded by Business Finland and Aalto University. Our research group is located at Aalto University, Finland.
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Even at this very early stage, we have garnered robust international support from clinical experts for the development of this innovative monitoring and diagnostic solution.
Project milestones
Inga is committed to empowering healthcare providers to deliver safer, healthier, and more engaging labor inductions for all women.
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References
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World Health Organization. WHO Data platform. Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing 2022. Available: https://platform.who.int/data/maternal-newborn-child-adolescent-ageing/indicator-explorer-new/mca/number-of-births-(thousands)
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Number of live births in the European Union (EU27) from 2009 to 2021. Statista, Jul 2022. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/253401/number-of-live-births-in-the-eu/
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Brady E. Hamilton, Ph.D., Joyce A. Martin, M.P.H., and Michelle J.K. Osterman, M.H.S. 2022. Vital Statistics Rapid release. No. 20. Births: Provisional Data for 2021. Available: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/vsrr/vsrr020.pdf
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Zhu, J., Xue, L., Shen, H. et al. Labor induction in China: a nationwide survey. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 22, 463 (2022). Available: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-022-04760-6
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Australia's mothers and babies. Web report, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Dec 2022. Available: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/mothers-babies/australias-mothers-babies/contents/about
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World Population Prospects 2019. Demographics of India. 2019. United Nations. Available: https://statisticstimes.com/demographics/country/india-demographics.php
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Number of Births in Japan Reaches New Annual Low in 2021. 2021. Nippon. Available: https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-data/h01350