Induction of labour: a randomised clinical trial of amniotomy versus amniotomy with oxytocin infusion.

OBJECTIVE: To compare two methods of induction of labour-amniotomy with oxytocin infusion versus amniotomy alone. DESIGN: Prospective randomised clinical trial. SETTING: The department of obstetrics in a Swedish central hospital. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and ninety-six pregnant women with indication for induction of labour at term and a favourable cervix (modified Bishop score > or = 6). INTERVENTIONS: The women were randomised to amniotomy followed by oxytocin infusion after 1 h (group A, n = 98) or amniotomy alone (group B, n = 98). If labour had not ensued on the following morning, after approximately 24 h, the women in group B were given an oxytocin infusion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Induction-delivery interval, duration of labour, time spent in delivery ward, oxytocin use, maternal and neonatal clinical outcome. RESULTS: Amniotomy combined with early oxytocin infusion resulted in shorter induction-delivery interval (median 6.0 h; 95% confidence interval (CI) 5.0 to 6.5 h) than amniotomy alone (median 9.0 h; 95% CI 7.5 to 10.0 h). This was due to a shorter latent period in the former group (median 2.3 h; 95% CI 2.0 to 3.0 h) compared to the latter (median 4.3 h; 95% CI 3.0 to 5.5 h). The duration of labour stages 1 and 2 were similar in both groups. The time spent in the delivery ward was slightly reduced for women managed by amniotomy alone (median 5.0 h; 95% CI 4.5 to 6.0 h) compared with those managed by the combination of amniotomy and oxytocin infusion (median 6.0 h; 95% CI 5.0 to 6.5 h). Eighty-seven percent in group A and 32% in group B were given oxytocin, and the total oxytocin infusion time was nearly five times longer in group A. No other important effect on maternal or fetal outcomes was demonstrated. CONCLUSION: With regard to safety the results do not warrant recommending either type of labour induction. The minor differences observed between the induction groups justify an individual management policy, with attention paid to both the indication for induction of labour and the woman's choice.

X-ray pelvimetry and trial of labor after previous cesarean section. A prospective study.

The benefits of X-ray pelvimetry and electronic monitoring of fetal heart rate and intra-uterine pressure were studied prospectively in order to predict the likelihood of a successful vaginal birth after previous cesarean section (CS). In 1982, a total of 369 parturients (7% of all deliveries) who had previously undergone CS were studied. Trial of labor (TL) was allowed in 160 cases (43.4%) and planned repeat CS was performed in 209 patients (56.6%). Patients in the TL group were compared with a matched control group. One hundred and fifty patients (94%) in the TL group gave birth by the vaginal route. There were no differences in the duration of the first and second stage of labor, duration of ruptured membranes (ROM), maternal blood loss or the incidence of CS and vacuum extraction between the TL group and the control group. Rates of low Apgar score (less than 7) at 1 and 5 min were the same in both groups. Intensive fetal monitoring during the course of labor, together with X-ray pelvimetry in selected cases, markedly reduced the incidence of acute repeat CS with no change in the overall rate of successful vaginal delivery compared with our previous results.

Cesarean section and maternal mortality in Sweden 1973-1979.

During the years 1973-79, 704732 births took place in Sweden and 63 075 cesarean sections (CS) were performed. Within the study period there were 20 maternal deaths associated with delivery or puerperium. Thirteen of these patients were delivered by CS and 7 by the vaginal route. The hospital records of the 13 deaths associated with CS were closely analysed and it was found that 5 of the patients were critically ill before the beginning of surgery, and the CS per se was not responsible for these deaths. The 8 remaining maternal deaths gave a corrected (cesarean-attributed) maternal mortality rate of 12.7/100 000 cesarean deliveries. For vaginal deliveries the mortality rate was 1.1/100 000 deliveries. Thus, the risk of maternal death from CS in Sweden was twelve times as high as that from vaginal parturition. All maternal deaths except one, associated with CS, occurred after emergency operation. No deaths were ascribable to anesthesia complications. The most common causes of death after CS were pulmonary embolism, amniotic fluid embolism, coagulopathy and peritonitis. Time trends in the causes of maternal death in Sweden are discussed.

Acute fatty liver of pregnancy with disseminated intravascular coagulation.

A patient with acute fatty liver of pregnancy associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is reported. The case lends support to the hypothesis that DIC may be of pathophysiologic significance in this disorder. Treatment principles are discussed and the importance of prompt Caesarean section as early as possible after the onset of symptoms is emphasized.