[Prostaglandins or cervical balloon for the induction of labor for cervical ripening: a literature review]

OBJECTIVE

Induction of labor in France concerns one birth out of four with 70% of induction starting by cervical ripening, either with a pharmacological (prostaglandins) or a mechanical (balloon) method. This review aims to compare these two methods within current knowledge, using the PRISMA methodology.

METHODS

Trials comparing these two methods, published or unpublished up to July 2023, in French or English were searched for in the PubMed, Cochrane Library and ClinicalTrial.govs datasets. Fifty articles including 10 689 women were selected. The outcomes of interest were those from the Core Outcome Set for trails on Induction of Labour (COSIOL) list: mode of delivery, time from induction-to-birth, maternal and neonatal morbidity, and maternal satisfaction.

RESULT

No differences were observed between the two methods for the mode of delivery or neonatal and maternal morbidity. The time from induction-to-birth was longer for mechanical methods. Those were also associated with a greater need for oxytocin, less uterine hyperstimulation and less instrumental deliveries. Maternal satisfaction was assessed in only nine trials using various scales which made the interpretation of maternal satisfaction.

CONCLUSION

The efficacy of these two induction methods is similar for vaginal delivery, but it remains to be seen which one best meets women's satisfaction criteria.

[Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy: French College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists guidelines for clinical practice]

OBJECTIVE

To identify strategies for reducing neonatal and maternal morbidity associated with intrahepatic cholestasis pregnancy (ICP).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The quality of evidence of the literature was assessed following the GRADE methodology with questions formulated in the PICO format (Patients, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) and outcomes defined a priori and classified according to their importance. An extensive bibliographic search was performed on PubMed, Cochrane, EMBASE and Google Scholar databases. The quality of the evidence was assessed (high, moderate, low, very low) and a (i) strong or (ii) weak recommendations or (iii) no recommendation were formulated. The recommendations were reviewed in two rounds with external reviewers (Delphi survey) to select the consensus recommendations.

RESULTS

Of the 14 questions (from 12 PICO questions and one definition question outside the PICO format), there was agreement between the working group and the external reviewers on 14 (100%). The level of evidence of the literature was insufficient to provide a recommendation on two questions. ICP is defined by the occurrence of suggestive pruritus (palmoplantar, nocturnal) associated with a total bile acid level>10μmol/L or an alanine transaminase level above 2N after ruling out differential diagnoses. In the absence of suggestive symptoms of a differential diagnosis, it is recommended not to carry out additional biological or ultrasound tests. In women with CIP, ursodeoxycholic acid is recommended to reduce the intensity of maternal pruritus (Strong recommendation. Quality of the evidence moderate) and to decrease the level of total bile acids and alanine transaminases. (Strong recommendation. Quality of the evidence moderate). S-adenosyl-methionine, dexamethasone, guar gum or activated charcoal should not be used to reduce the intensity of maternal pruritus (Strong recommendation. Quality of evidence low), and there is insufficient data to recommend the use of antihistamines (No recommendation. Quality of evidence low). Rifampicin (Weak recommendation. Very low quality of evidence) or plasma exchange (Strong recommendation. Very low quality of evidence) should not be used to reduce maternal pruritus and perinatal morbidity. Serum monitoring of bile acids is recommended to reduce perinatal morbidity and mortality (stillbirth, prematurity) (Low recommendation. Quality of the evidence low). The level of evidence is insufficient to determine whether fetal heart rate or fetal ultrasound monitoring are useful to reduce perinatal morbidity (No recommendation). Birth is recommended when bile acid level is above 99μmol/L from 36 weeks gestation to reduce perinatal morbidity, in particular stillbirth. When bile acid level is above 99μmol/L is below 100μmol/L, women should be informed that induction of labor could be considered 37 and 39 weeks gestation to reduce perinatal morbidity. (Strong recommendation. Quality of evidence low). In postpartum, total bile acids and alanine transaminases level should be checked and normalized before prescribing estrogen-progestin contraception, ideally with a low estrogen dose (risk of recurrence of pruritus and cytolysis) (Low recommendation. Quality of evidence very low).

CONCLUSION

Although the quality of evidence regarding ICP gestational cholestasis remains low, there is a strong consensus in France, as shown by our Delphi study, on how to manage women with ICP. The reference first-line treatment is ursodeoxycholic acid.

[Impact of the healthcare pathway on the rate of obstetrical interventions in small for gestational age fetuses (IATROPAG Study)]

BACKGROUND

While previous studies have demonstrated an improvement in implementation of clinical practices and an improved neonatal prognosis when growth restricted fetuses were followed within a standardized healthcare pathway, the objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of obstetric interventions in small-for-gestational-age (SGA) fetuses followed within a standardized care pathway compared to a traditional care pathway.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study between 2015 and 2017, in a type III maternity hospital in Lyon, in a population of SGA fetuses, considered as such in case of antenatal diagnosis of fetal weight<10th percentile but>3rd centile without umbilical Doppler abnormality during antenatal surveillance and without ultrasound argument suggesting intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). We collected the gestational age at diagnosis, obstetrical events and prevention of preterm delivery (antenatal corticosteroids), gestation age at birth, the method of delivery (spontaneous or induced), indication of induction, the method of birth (spontaneous, instrumental extraction or caesarean section), and the immediate neonatal outcome including cord pH, Apgar score at 5minutes, birth weight and fetal sex. After diagnosis, the choice of the pathway was left to the practitioner depending on their habit, their ability to manage the follow-up and their organizational constraints.

RESULTS

Over the study period, and after exclusion of IUGR, 96 SGA were followed up in the traditional pathway and 106 SGA were followed up in the standardized pathway P=0.75. The traditional pathway showed in multivariate analysis a higher prevalence of antenatal corticosteroid therapy for SGA (16,6%) between 2015 and 2017 with OR 7.3 95% CI [1.41-38.43] when compared to the standardized pathway (3,7%). Similarly, the traditional pathway proposes a higher prevalence of induction of labor (54,1%) than the standardized pathway (33,9%) between 2015 and 2017 with OR 3.19 95% CI [1.70-7.80]. The "a posteriori" post-hoc power of the study is 82.9%.

CONCLUSION

This study confirms the absence of excessive obstetrical intervention in the SGA population when followed in a standardized healthcare pathway. The latter would reduce unnecessary obstetrical interventions while respecting the intrinsic neonatal prognosis of small for gestational age fetuses.

[Term Prelabor Rupture of Membranes: CNGOF Guidelines for Clinical Practice - Timing of Labor Induction]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effect of immediate induction versus expectant management on maternal and neonatal outcomes in case of term prelabor rupture of membranes.

METHODS

We searched Medline Database, Cochrane Library and consulted international guidelines.

RESULTS

In case of term prelabor rupture of membranes, induction of labor is associated with shorter rupture of membranes to delivery intervals when compared to expectant management, if induction is conducted with oxytocin (LE2), prostaglandin E2 (LE2) or misoprostol (LE2), but not when induction is conducted with Foley® catheter (LE2), osmotic dilatator (LE2) or acupuncture (LE2). The strongest evidence to date comes from a large international randomized study, the TERMPROM study, which included over 5000 women between 1992 and 1995. This study compared immediate induction with oxytocin or prostaglandin E2 to expectant management up to 96hours, followed by induction by oxytocin or prostaglandin E2. Immediate induction was not associated with a decreased neonatal infection rate (LE1), even among women with a positive streptococcus B vaginal swab (LE2). Thus, expectant management can be offered without increasing the neonatal infection risk (Grade B). Induction with oxytocin was associated with a decreased risk of intra-uterine infection and postpartum fever in the TERMPROM study (LE2), however, this study had significant limitations concerning this outcome (unknown streptococcus B status and low rate of prophylactic antibiotics), and this association was not found in other smaller studies. This decrease was not observed with induction by prostaglandin E2. In the TERMPROM study, induction was not associated with an increase or decrease in the rate of cesarean section (LE2), whatever the parity (LE2) or Bishop score at admission (LE3). Induction can thus be proposed without increasing the cesarean section risk (Grade B). There is no study evaluating expectant management over 4 days.

CONCLUSION

In case of term prelabor rupture of membranes, induction can be offered without increasing the cesarean section risk (Grade B). Expectant management can be offered without increasing the neonatal infection risk (Grade B), even among women with a positive streptococcus B vaginal swab (Professional consensus). The optimal moment of induction will therefore be guided by the maternity wards organization and women's preference after having informed them of the risks and benefits associated with induction and expectant management (Professional consensus). In case of meconial fluid or term prelabor rupture of membranes>4 days, induction must be offered (Professional consensus).

[Term Prelabor Rupture of Membranes: CNGOF Guidelines for Clinical Practice - Methods for Inducing Labor]

OBJECTIVES

To assess the studies comparing induction methods in women with term prelabor rupture of the membranes and establish if one is superior to the others.

METHODS

The MedLine database, the Cochrane Library and the recommendations from the French and foreign obstetrical societies or colleges have been consulted.

RESULTS

The included studies compared medical induction methods: oxytocin (intravenous), dinoprostone (vaginal gel, pessary or intracervical gel), and misoprostol (oral or vaginal route); and a mechanical induction method: the Foley catheter. The primary outcome measures were: labor induction to delivery interval, number of women delivered within 12 or 24hours of initiation of induction and cesarean delivery rate. The small sample size of the included studies as well as the limited number of reported complications does not provide a reasonable basis for concluding on the secondary outcome measures: pyrexia, chorioamnionitis, uterine tachysystole, Apgar scores of<7 at 5minutes. Induction of labor with misoprostol (oral and vaginal) reduced the labor induction to delivery interval compared with dinoprostone (LE2). This interval was unchanged when comparing induction with oxytocin and Foley catheter (LE2). The data comparing this interval in women induced with dinoprostone versus oxytocin and misoprostol versus oxytocin is limited or inconsistent. The cesarean delivery rate was comparable in women induced with dinoprostone (vaginal gel) versus oxytocin (LE2), misoprostol (oral and vaginal route) versus oxytocin (LE2), Foley catheter versus oxytocin (LE2), misoprostol versus dinoprostone (LE2) and misoprostol versus Foley catheter (LE2). The number of women delivered within 24hours of initiation of induction was comparable when induced with oral misoprostol versus oxytocin (LE2) and Foley catheter versus oxytocin (LE2). There is a lack of data for this outcome when comparing dinoprostone versus oxytocin, vaginal misoprotsol versus oxytocin, and misoprostol (oral and vaginal) versus dinoprostone. No induction method is superior to another for nulliparous women or women with unfavorable cervix (LE2).

CONCLUSION

The superiority of an induction method, in terms of effectiveness or safety, could not be established with the current available data for women with term prelabor rupture of the membranes. An increased risk of chorioamnionitis due to induction using Foley catheter could not be ruled out by the available data. All medical methods are suitable for inducing women with term prelabor rupture of the membranes (Grade B).

[Induction of labor in women with previous caesarean delivery with balloon catheter: Is it worth it?]

OBJECTIF

Balloon catheters for labor induction at term after previous cesarean section is an alternative option to iterative cesarean section. The aim of this study was to analyze the maternal and neonatal outcomes of the trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC) in women with unfavorable cervix and balloon catheter induction, 2 years after introduction of this process.

METHODS

Unicentric observational study of women with term cephalic singleton, unfavorable cervix (simplified Bishop score<5) after TOLAC using double-balloon catheter. Were analyzed the mode of delivery and severe maternal (uterine rupture, post-partum hemorrhage, severe perineal tears) and neonatal (neonatal unit admission, APGAR<7 at 5minutes, pH<7.1) outcomes. Predictive factors for failed TOLAC were analyzed by using multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

Between 2016-2017, 455 (75.4%) women had TOLAC, whose 59 (13%) women with balloon catheter. The overall vaginal delivery (VD) was 73.9%. After Balloon catheter, the VD rate was 50.8%, versus 79.1% after spontaneous labor, and 68.2% after alone oxytocin/artificial membrane rupture induction (P<0.05). Previous VD (aOR 0.176 CI-95% [0.048-0.651]) and prior sweeping membrane (aOR 0.161 CI-95% [0.034-0.761]) was protective for cesarean section after TOLAC. Severe maternal and neonatal morbidities were observed in 10 (17%) and 8 (13.6%) cases, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Double-Balloon catheter is an option for unfavorable cervix and term induction after previous cesarean section. However, the TOLAC in women whose unfavorable cervix is not without maternal and neonatal risk, especially due to its failure.

[Modalities of birth in case of uncomplicated preterm premature rupture of membranes: CNGOF Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes Guidelines]

OBJECTIVE

To identify the ideal gestational age at delivery for preterm premature rupture of membranes and modalities of birth.

METHOD

To identify studies, research was conducted using Pub-Med, Embase and Cochrane databases.

RESULTS

Prolonged latency duration after pPROM does not worsen neonatal prognosis (NP3). Therefore, it is recommended not to deliver before 34 weeks of gestation for patient with uncomplicated preterm rupture of membranes (pPROM) (Grade C). After 34 weeks of gestation, expectant management for pPROM is not associated with neonatal sepsis (NP1) but is associated to intra-uterine infection (NP2). Early delivery is associated with higher risk of respiratory distress syndrome (NP2), higher risk of cesarean section (NP2) and longer duration of NICU hospitalization (NP2). Before 37 weeks of gestation, expectant management is recommended for uncomplicated pPROM (Grade A), even if vaginal group B streptococcus is positive, as long as antibiotics are used at the time of membranes rupture (Professional consensus). Elective cesarean section is reserved for usual obstetrical indications. Oxytocin and prostaglandins are reasonable options for inducing labor (Professional consensus). Data are too scarce to establish recommendation regarding intra-cervical balloons in case of pPROM (Professional consensus).

CONCLUSION

Expectant management is recommended for uncomplicated pPROM before 37 weeks of gestation.

[Cervical ripening and labor induction: Evaluation of single balloon catheter compared to double balloon catheter and dinoprostone insert]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effectiveness of single balloon catheter with double balloon catheter and dinoprostone insert for cervical ripening and labor induction on unfavourable cervix.

METHODS

this is a comparative, retrospective, one-center trial. Were included singleton pregnancy in cephalic presentation. Were excluded cicatricial uterus. The outcomes were vaginal delivery rate, caesarean section rate, modification in Bishop score, time from induction to delivery, second time prostaglandin E2 resort, oxytocin administration resort, maternal or neonatal adverse events.

RESULTS

Were included 108 patients: 45 in single balloon catheter group, 32 in double balloon catheter group, 31 in dinoprostone insert group. Vaginal delivery rate was similar in single balloon catheter group (78 %) compared with others groups (75 % in double balloon catheter and 71 % in dinoprostone insert group respectively). Oxytocin administration resort was superior in single balloon catheter group. There was no significant difference on others outcomes. Labor induction costs were 9euros in single balloon catheter group, versus 55 and 81 euros in double balloon catheter group and dinoprostone insert group respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Single balloon catheter seems just as effective as double balloon catheter and dinoprostone insert with its major asset the low cost for labor induction.

[Premature rupture of membranes≥37 weeks of gestation: Predictive factors for labour onset within 24hours]

OBJECTIVES

To identify predictive criteria for a positive expectation in the context of rupture of membranes after 37 WG.

METHODS

Single-center retrospective study including ROM≥37 WG. The primary outcome was labour onset within 24hours. We compared predictive factors for occurrence of spontaneous labour and described obstetrical and neonatal outcomes according to initial Bishop score<6 or ≥6.

RESULTS

From January 2013 to December 2014, 520 patients were included. The predictive factors in case of unfavorable cervix were clinical leakage (P<0.001) and a cervical dilatation≥2cm (P<0.001) according to multivariate analysis. When the expectancy failed, there was a higher rate of cesarean section (24.3% vs. 9.6% P<0.001) but no more proven maternal-fetal infection. In case of Bishop≥6, we identified no predictive factor for labour onset but Apgar<7 at 5minutes (18.7% vs. 3.2% P=0.01) and admission to neonatal unit (18.8% vs. 3.2% P=0.04) were more frequent without majoration of maternal-fetal infection.

CONCLUSION

The favorable expectation was the outcome for 70.8% of ROM at term. Clinical leakage and dilated cervix appeared as the main predictors in case of Bishop<6. Majoration of low Apgar score and admission to neonatal unit could be increased when no labour onset occurred despite Bishop≥6.

[Fetal death beyond 14 weeks of gestation: induction of labor and obtaining of uterine vacuity]

The objective of this review was to assess benefits and harms of different management options for induction of labor and obtaining of uterine vacuity in case of fetal death beyond of 14 weeks of gestation. In second-trimester, the data are numerous but low methodological quality. In terms of efficiency (induction-expulsion time and uterine evacuation within 24 hours rate) and tolerance in the absence of antecedent of caesarean section, the best protocol for induction of labor in the second-trimester of pregnancy appears to be mifepristone 200mg orally followed 24-48 hours later by vaginal administration of misoprostol 200 to 400 μg every 4 to 6 hours. In third-trimester, there is very little data. The circumstances are similar to induction of labor with living fetus. A term or near term, oxytocin and dinoprostone have a marketing authorization in this indication but misoprostol may be an alternative as the Bishop score and dose of induction of labor with living fetus. In case of previous caesarean section, the risk of uterine rupture is increased in case of a medical induction of labor with prostaglandins. The lowest effective doses should be used (100 to 200 μg every 4 to 6 hours). Prior cervical preparation by the administration of mifepristone and possibly the use of laminar seems essential in this situation.

[Induction of labor in twin pregnancies compared to singleton pregnancies; risk factors for failure]

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the modalities of induction of labour in twin pregnancies compared with singleton pregnancies and to identify risk factors for failure.

MATERIALS ET METHODS

A retrospective population-based study was conducted at the Toulouse University Hospital to compare a cohort of diamniotic twin gestations (Twin A in vertex presentation), with induction of labour ≥36 weeks of gestation, between January 2007 and December 2012, to a singleton's cohort that were induced ≥36 weeks of gestation during the 2007 year. One singleton pregnancy was matched for each twin pregnancy with parity and gestational age.

RESULTS

One hundred and fifty-six twins pregnancies met the inclusion criteria for an induction of labor and were compared to 156 single pregnancies. The same and standard protocol of induction of labor was used for the two cohorts (intrauterine balloon catheter±dinoprostone/ocytocine). The cesarean section rate for failed labor induction (cesarean in latent phase) was similar in the 2 populations (14.7% for twin vs 13.5% for single; P=0.66). The factors associated to failed induction of labor in the total population were nulliparity (OR=1.49) and Bishop score<6 at the beginning of the induction (OR=2.83).

CONCLUSION

Twin did not appear as risk of failed induction. The protocol for induction of labor in singletons may be safely proposed to twin gestations.