Correct Answer: B. Heart disease
The question asks which is NOT a contraindication to labor induction. Heart disease is NOT an absolute contraindication to induction of labor in India or internationally. In fact, controlled vaginal delivery with induction is often preferred over cesarean section in cardiac patients, because cesarean delivery carries higher hemodynamic stress, blood loss, and anesthetic risk. Induction allows planned, monitored labor with epidural analgesia, continuous fetal monitoring, and controlled fluid management—all beneficial for cardiac patients. According to DC Dutta's Textbook of Obstetrics and Indian guidelines, cardiac disease is managed expectantly during pregnancy and labor with appropriate monitoring and support, not by avoiding induction. The key is individualized assessment: if vaginal delivery is feasible, induction is safer than emergency cesarean. Absolute contraindications to induction are placental abnormalities (previa, abruption), cord prolapse, transverse lie, and active genital herpes—not cardiac disease. Cardiac patients require anesthesia consultation, hemodynamic monitoring, and careful fluid balance, but these are modifications to induction, not contraindications.
Why the other options are wrong
A. History of lower transverse cesarean section in last two pregnancies — This is wrong because two or more prior cesarean sections (especially recent ones) create high risk of uterine rupture during labor induction, particularly with oxytocin use. ACOG and Indian guidelines recommend elective repeat cesarean in such cases. The risk of rupture increases with multiple prior scars and prostaglandin use, making induction a genuine contraindication. C. Herpes infection — This is wrong because active genital herpes (especially primary infection near term) is an absolute contraindication to vaginal delivery and labor induction. Risk of neonatal herpes is high if vaginal delivery occurs during active shedding. Cesarean section is indicated, not induction. This is a standard contraindication taught in all Indian OBG curricula. D. Pelvic tumor — This is wrong because a pelvic tumor (fibroid, ovarian mass, or other obstruction) can mechanically obstruct the birth canal and prevent vaginal delivery. Induction in such cases risks obstructed labor, uterine rupture, and fetal compromise. Cesarean section is the safer option, making induction a contraindication.
High-Yield Facts
- Cardiac disease is NOT an absolute contraindication to labor induction—vaginal delivery with induction is often preferred over cesarean because cesarean carries higher hemodynamic and anesthetic risk.
- Absolute contraindications to induction: placenta previa, placental abruption, cord prolapse, transverse lie, active genital herpes, and multiple prior cesarean scars.
- Two or more prior lower-segment cesarean sections increase uterine rupture risk during induction; elective repeat cesarean is recommended per Indian guidelines.
- Active genital herpes near term mandates cesarean delivery to prevent neonatal herpes; induction is contraindicated.
- Pelvic masses (fibroids, ovarian tumors) causing obstruction are contraindications to induction due to risk of obstructed labor and uterine rupture.
Mnemonics
CONTRAINDICATIONS TO LABOR INDUCTION (ACOG/Indian Guidelines) PLACENTA — Previa, abruption; CORD — prolapse; HERPES — active genital; SCARS — multiple prior cesarean; OBSTRUCTION — pelvic tumor, transverse lie. Cardiac disease is NOT on this list. Why Cardiac Patients CAN Be Induced SAFE: Scheduled labor, epidural analgesia, continuous monitoring, controlled fluids. UNSAFE: Emergency cesarean (higher blood loss, anesthetic risk, hemodynamic stress). Induction = planned vaginal delivery = safer for heart.
NBE Trap
NBE pairs "cardiac disease" with "contraindication" to test whether students confuse relative management modifications (anesthesia consultation, monitoring) with absolute contraindications. The trap is assuming any high-risk condition = contraindication to induction, when in fact cardiac disease is an indication for controlled induction rather than emergency cesarean.
Clinical Pearl
In Indian tertiary centers, cardiac patients presenting at term are routinely counseled for planned vaginal delivery with induction under epidural analgesia and hemodynamic monitoring, rather than being offered elective cesarean. This reduces maternal morbidity and mortality compared to surgical delivery in a compromised cardiac state.
_Reference: DC Dutta's Textbook of Obstetrics, Ch. 22 (Induction of Labor); ACOG Guidelines on Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) and Cardiac Disease in Pregnancy_