The proportion of medically induced births in Denmark reached a record high last year, with nearly one in four births (23.2 percent) being induced. This is the highest percentage recorded to date.

Induction is typically offered to women who are overdue or have conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or obesity. Current guidelines recommend offering induction 10-12 days past the due date.

Some obstetricians are advocating for earlier induction, noting that the World Health Organization (WHO) suggests offering it as early as one week after the due date. Countries like Sweden, Finland, and England follow this recommendation.

Proponents of earlier induction estimate that it could prevent five to seven child deaths annually. However, to achieve this, several thousand pregnant women would need to be induced. Approximately 10,000 women a year would be eligible for induction one week after their due date.

Concerns have been raised that maternity wards may not be adequately equipped to handle the increased workload that earlier and more frequent inductions would create.

Three years ago, the Danish Health Authority considered changing the guidelines to align with the WHO recommendation. However, the proposal was withdrawn due to disagreements among doctors and midwives. The Danish Health Authority stated that it “expects the professional societies to make contact if new knowledge emerges in the area.”