Translabial ultrasonic assessment of cervix compared to Bishop score for women undergoing induction of labor

ABSTRACT

To determine if translabial sonographic measurement of the cervical length is a useful method to predict successful labor induction. One hundred women indicated for induction of labor were included and examined to assess Bishop score. All were then subjected to translabial sonographic measurement of the cervical length before labor induction. Induction of labor was performed within 6h of the ultrasonographic examination, intravaginal prostaglandin E2 3mg inserted in the posterior vaginal fornix repeated if needed every 6h for up to three doses. The mean age was 27.6 years and mean parity of 1.4. While there was no statistically significant differences between the initial Bishop score among women with successful and unsuccessful labor induction, there was a highly significant difference in the mean cervical index with higher indices among women with successful induction [p<0.001]. There was a highly significant difference between women with successful labor induction who have a cervical index of 0.4- 0.8 and >0.8 [p<0.001]. After 6 hours there was a statistically significant difference in the mean Bishop score with higher values among women with successful labor induction [p<0.05]. Translabial sonographic measurement of cervical length is safe and effective predictor of a successful labor induction at term