Single indications of induction of labor with prostaglandins and risk of cesarean delivery: A retrospective cohort study

Clinical and ultrasonographic parameters in assessment of labor induction success in nulliparous women

Purpose: Evaluation of simplified Bishop score and ultrasound cervicometry in the assessment of labor induction success in nulliparous women.Methods: Prospective cohort study included 146 nulliparous women with singleton pregnancy and indications for labor induction. Prior to labor induction, cervicometry and Bishop score were determined. Upon delivery, patients were classified as those delivered vaginally and by cesarean section (CS) after unsuccessful labor induction.Results: Bishop score >5 was found in 47.95% of vaginally delivered women and 12.33% of patients delivered by CS (p < .01). Cervicometry had appropriate findings in 34.2% of vaginally delivered women and 75.3% of those delivered by CS (p < .01). Bishop score (>5 versus ≤5) had lower sensitivity (52.05%) and specificity (12.33%) than cervicometry (good versus unfavorable findings) (sensitivity 65.75%, specificity 75.34%) for prediction of labor induction success. If Bishop score was ≤5, cervicometry had 50.0% sensitivity and 78.13% specificity, while if Bishop score was >5, 82.86% sensitivity and 55.56% specificity. Obtained model for predicting labor induction outcome in nulliparous women based on their clinical and ultrasonographical characteristics identified the Bishop score as the most important predictor.Conclusions: Study confirmed the usefulness of simplified Bishop score and ultrasound cervicometry in the assessment of labor induction success in nulliparous women.

Predictors of response after a second attempt of pharmacological labor induction: a retrospective study

PURPOSE

The aim of our study was to assess the outcomes of a prolonged induction carried out with a second sequential cycle of pharmacological stimulation after unsatisfactory response to a first attempt, and to highlight variables correlated with higher response rates.

METHODS

A retrospective study was carried out on 157 women who underwent a two-step labor induction by vaginal prostaglandins followed by a second cycle of prostaglandins or intravenous oxytocin. Outcomes assessed were mode of delivery and maternal and neonatal morbidity. Main variables of pregnancy and delivery were collected to identify factors predicting the mode of delivery.

RESULTS

Among 157 patients, 63 (40.1%) achieved a vaginal delivery, whereas 94 (59.9%) underwent Cesarean section, 9 women (5.7%) had postpartum hemorrhage; in 2 cases (1.3%), an Apgar score < 7 at 5 min from birth was reported. Higher risk of Cesarean section was observed with advanced maternal age (OR 1.13 for additional year, CI 1.04-1.22) and nulliparity (OR 8.84, CI 2.69-29.06), whereas the response rates were better in carriers of group B streptococcus colonization (OR 0.38, CI 0.17-0.84) and in women with favorable cervical status after the first stimulation (OR 0.81 for additional point of Bishop score, CI 0.70-0.94).

CONCLUSION

Labor induction with two cycles of pharmacological stimulation is a procedure with fairly good success rates and a low risk of maternal and neonatal complications. Factors predicting its success encompass younger age, parity, a positive recto-vaginal swab for group B streptococcus and a favorable cervix following the first cycle of stimulation.

Outcomes of induction of labour in nulliparous women at 38 to 39 weeks pregnancy by clinical indication: An observational study

BACKGROUND

Knowledge of the outcomes of induction of labour for different indications is sparse.

AIMS

To describe the mode of birth and other outcomes for nulliparous women induced at 38-39 weeks gestational age by indication for induction of labour.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This was a retrospective observational study in a tertiary referral hospital, and a metropolitan teaching hospital in Sydney. The study population was nulliparous women with induction of labour at 38 or 39 completed weeks of pregnancy and a singleton, cephalic presenting baby planning a vaginal birth, from 2009 to 2016. The indication for induction of labour was classified into 12 groups. Mode of birth and other maternal and perinatal outcomes were described in each group, for women who spontaneously laboured at 38 or 39 weeks, and for women who gave birth from 40 completed weeks onward. The main outcome measure was mode of birth.

RESULTS

There were 3330 women with induction of labour at 38 or 39 weeks gestation. Rates of vaginal birth varied widely, ranging from 54% when the indication for induction was suspected large fetus, to 82% when the indication was suspected fetal compromise, and was 74% overall. Indications for caesarean delivery also varied by indication for induction. Among women giving birth ≥40 weeks gestational age, 75% had a vaginal birth.

CONCLUSIONS

In nulliparous women, rates of vaginal birth following induction of labour at 38 or 39 weeks gestation vary widely according to the indication for induction. These data are useful for antenatal counselling.

The impact of extremes of maternal age on maternal and neonatal pregnancy outcomes in women with pregestational diabetes mellitus

Background:. Diabetes mellitus (DM) during pregnancy increases the risk for many complications such as preeclampsia and cesarean section. Teen (age <20) and advanced maternal age (AMA, age ≥35) pregnancies are both at increased risk for maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Understanding the risks and complications unique to teen and AMA women with pregestational DM is imperative to providing care and improving outcomes.Objective:. This study sought to determine how maternal and neonatal outcomes are affected by pregestational DM in teen and AMA pregnancies.Study design:. This is a retrospective cohort study of 1.58 million pregnancies in California from 2005 through 2008s, of which 10,034 diabetic women with nonanomalous, singleton pregnancies were identified. Women with gestational DM were excluded. Maternal outcomes examined include preeclampsia, placental abruption, chorioamnionitis, preterm delivery, and cesarean section. Neonatal outcomes include size for gestational age, birth weight >4000 g, shoulder dystocia, brachial plexus injury, jaundice, and intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD). Multivariate regression analyses and chi-squared test were used for statistical comparisons and a p-value of less than .05 was used to indicate statistical significance.Results:. Compared to women of age 20-34 years with pregestational DM as the reference group, women <20 years old with DM had higher rates of preeclampsia (aOR 1.72; 95% CI 1.29-2.29; p-value < .001) and lower rates of cesarean delivery (aOR 0.63; 95% CI 0.47-0.85; p < .001). Neonates of teen mothers were more likely to be large for gestational age (LGA; > 90%ile; aOR 1.60; 95% CI 1.14-2.23; p = .006), whereas neonates in the maternal age category of 35-39 years had lower rates of LGA >90%ile (aOR 0.81; 95% CI 0.70-0.92; p = .001). Odds of IUFD were greatest in women age 35-39 years old (aOR 1.73; 95% CI 1.05-2.85; p = .031). Analysis examining women >40 years old showed no statistically significant difference in outcomes.Conclusion: Pregnancy outcomes in women with pregestational diabetes differ depending on maternal age category. Teens are at higher risk for preeclampsia and LGA neonates, but at lower risk for cesarean. Women aged 35-39 years are at higher risk for cesarean delivery, are less likely to have LGA neonates, and more likely to experience IUFD. Understanding the etiologies behind these differences may lead to improvements in these clinical outcomes.

Induction of labor using one dose vs multiple doses of misoprostol: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Misoprostol is a common agent that is used to ripen the cervix and induce labor, yet there is no clear evidence of the optimal number of doses needed to achieve a higher rate of vaginal delivery.

OBJECTIVE

Our primary objective was to compare the rate of vaginal delivery within 24 hours between a 1-dose and a multiple-dose regimen of misoprostol for the induction of labor.

STUDY DESIGN

A randomized controlled trial was conducted from March 2016 to March 2017 that compared a single dose to up to 4 doses of misoprostol. Randomization was stratified by parity. Women with a singleton pregnancy ≥37 weeks gestation with intact membranes who had been admitted for labor induction with a Bishop score ≤6 were included. Our primary outcome was the rate of vaginal delivery within 24 hours. Secondary outcomes included time to vaginal delivery, cesarean delivery rate, and maternal and neonatal morbidity. Based on a power of 80%, an alpha of .05, and the assumption that 50% of women in the multiple-misoprostol group would deliver vaginally in 24 hours, a sample size of 220 patients was needed to detect a 20% increase in vaginal delivery rate within 24 hours in the 1-misoprostol group. Continuous variables were compared with the use of the Mann-Whitney test. Categoric variables were compared with the use of the Fisher's exact test. Probability values <.05 were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Two hundred fifty women were assigned randomly. Demographics and clinical characteristics were similar between groups. In the univariate analysis, there was no difference in the rate of vaginal delivery within 24 hours between the 1-misoprostol group and the multiple-dose group (41.7% vs 44.7%, respectively; P=.698) or time to vaginal delivery (1187 min vs 1321 min, respectively; P=.202). The 1-misoprostol group had a greater cesarean delivery rate (35.8% vs 22.8%; P=.034). In a Poisson regression that controlled for Bishop score before the initiation of oxytocin, parity, gestational age, body mass index, estimated fetal weight, artificial rupture of membrane at <6 cm, and Foley balloon placement, the treatment group was no longer associated with cesarean delivery rate. Instead, a Bishop score of <4 before the initiation of oxytocin and nulliparity were associated significantly with cesarean delivery rate.

CONCLUSION

In this first randomized controlled trial in the literature to compare a single with a multiple dosing of misoprostol, we found that the 1-dose regimen is an acceptable alternative for the induction for labor, especially for multiparous women and for patients with a Bishop score >4 after the first dose.

The indication for induction of labor impacts the risk of cesarean delivery

OBJECTIVE

The risk of cesarean delivery following labor induction has been clearly established. While numerous factors are known to impact this risk, the indication for induction has rarely been examined as a risk factor. This study aimed to examine the relationship between indication for induction and ultimate mode of delivery after labor induction.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted examining all cases of labor induction in a tertiary center university teaching hospital over a one-year period. The primary outcome measure was mode of delivery (vaginal delivery versus cesarean delivery) and its relationship to the indication for induction. Secondary outcome measures were: parity, maternal age, birth week, cervical maturity, use of epidural anesthesia, fetal birth weight and fetal sex.

RESULTS

Seven hundred and ninety-six women met inclusion criteria, of which 17.1% ultimately underwent cesarean delivery. Using multivariate analysis, fetal indications for induction (including intra-uterine growth restriction, oligohydramnios, placental abruption, macrosomia and post-term pregnancy) were found to significantly increase the risk of cesarean delivery in nulliparous women. The other significant factor was birth after week 40 + 0.

CONCLUSIONS

The indication for labor induction impacts the risk of cesarean delivery. Specifically, induction of labor for fetal indications significantly increases the risk of cesarean delivery in nulliparous women.

Induction of labor in women that had a previous cesarean delivery

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate factors that predict the likelihood of the success of induction of labor (IOL) in women that had a previous cesarean section (pCS).

METHODS

Pregnant women with one pCS performed more than 18 months prior were included in this retrospective observational study. Of the 242 eligible women, 234 were enrolled; 120 (51.3%) of these women delivered vaginally (VD), with the remainder receiving a repeat CS.

RESULTS

The main reasons for IOL were premature rupture of membranes (PROM) (37.1%) and post-date pregnancy (26.5%). Babies with a birth weight≥4000 g were more prevalent in women undergoing CS (21/114; 18.4%, p<0.02) and were associated with the failure of IOL. Uterine rupture during labor (1.3%) occurred in three cases. Having had a previous vaginal delivery (VD) (p=0.01), not being African (p=0.022), and receiving IOL for PROM (p=0.04) with a cervical Bishop score≥5 (p=0.015) significantly predicted the occurrence of a VD, with an 15% variance (p<0.001). An age>35 years appears to not affect the success of induction.

CONCLUSIONS

A successful IOL should be expected in Caucasian women induced for PROM with a favorable Bishop score.

Delivery route following elective induction of labor at term: analysis of 807 patients

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study is to compare mode of delivery for both nulliparous and multiparous women at term that underwent elective induction of labor to those who arrived in spontaneous labor.

METHODS

Medical records of 807 deliveries were reviewed. There were 566 labor patients and 241 elective induction patients.

RESULTS

Women who underwent elective induction of labor were more likely to undergo cesarean delivery compared to those women who arrived in spontaneous labor (41.1% versus 9.9%, P = 0.001). This was true for both nulliparous women (49% versus 31%, P < 0.0001), and multiparous women (22.7% versus 1.6%, P < 0.0001). The rate of operative vaginal delivery was also increased in the elective induction of labor group (8.4% versus 3.6%, P < 0.0001). Operative vaginal delivery was statistically significant in multiparous women (21% versus 4.1%, P < 0.0001), but not in nulliparous women (10.1% versus 9.8%, P = NS).

CONCLUSION

Elective induction of labor at term is associated with an increased risk of cesarean section in both nulliparous and multiparous women. There is also an increased risk of an operative vaginal delivery in multiparous women who underwent elective induction of labor.