WHO concerned about number of induced births in NL

The World Health Organization is concerned about the increasing number of artificially induced births in the Netherlands, often done without medical necessity, AD reported on Monday. Artificially inducing labor increases the risk of complications. According to the WHO, inducing labor is only necessary in about 5 percent of cases. In the Netherlands, the percentage of artificially induced births increased from 15.5 percent of all births to 21.8 percent so far this year. According to midwives association KNOV, women often ask for birth to be induced themselves and doctors insist on it because they are afraid of complications or liability. Gynecologist Association NVOG told the newspaper that there are indeed risks associated with induced labor. "And you should only intervene if the life of the mother and/or child is in danger", said gynecologist Jan Derks.