Association between the cervical sliding sign and successful induction of labor in women with an unfavorable cervix: A prospective observational study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the role of the cervical sliding sign (CSS) in the prediction of the outcome of induction of labor (IOL). STUDY DESIGN: Two-center prospective observational cohort study involving a non-consecutive series of uncomplicated singleton term pregnancies, planned for IOL, with a fetus in cephalic presentation and unfavorable cervix as defined by a Bishop score ≤ 6. The Bishop score was evaluated by transvaginal digital examination and the cervical length and CSS by transvaginal ultrasound. The presence of CSS was defined as the sliding of the anterior cervical lip on the posterior one under gentle pressure of the transvaginal probe. The primary outcome of the study was successful vaginal delivery within 24 h. The secondary outcome was the induction-to-active-labor time. The interobserver agreement for the CSS was also evaluated. RESULTS: Over a period of 12 months, 179 women were included. The CSS was found in 86 (48.0 %) patients and was associated with an increased likelihood of vaginal delivery within 24 h (60/86 or 69.8 % vs 27/93 or 29.0 %, P < 0.001) and a shorter induction-to-active-labor time (954 ± 618 min vs 1416 ± 660 min, P < 0.001). Multivariable regression analysis showed that the CSS was an independent predictor of vaginal delivery within 24 h (aOR 5.37, 95 % CI 2.26-12.75) and shorter induction-to-active-labor time interval (HR 1.81, 95 % CI 1.19-2.74). The interobserver variability based on intraclass correlation coefficient for the CSS was excellent (ICC = 0.90). CONCLUSION: In women undergoing IOL with an unfavorable cervix, the CSS is associated with a higher frequency of vaginal delivery within 24 h and a shorter induction-to-active-labor time.

Intrapartum fetal heart rate between 150 and 160 bpm at or after 40 weeks and labor outcome.

INTRODUCTION: A baseline fetal heart rate between 110 and 160 bpm is considered normal. However, among normal fetuses the average baseline heart rate has been shown to diminish progressively and the 90th centile of the fetal heart rate at 40 weeks of gestation has been consistently found at around 150 bpm. The aim of our study was to assess the labor and neonatal outcome of fetuses at 40 gestational weeks or beyond, whose intrapartum baseline fetal heart rate was between 150 and 160 bpm. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study including singleton pregnancies with spontaneous onset of labor, gestational age between 40+0 and 42+0 weeks, category I CTG trace according to the FIGO guidelines 2015 with baseline fetal heart rate between 110 and 160 bpm during the first 60 minutes of active labor. Exclusion criteria were maternal hyperpyrexia at admission, fetal arrhythmias, maternal tachycardia (>110 bpm) and uterine tachysystole (>5 contractions/10 minutes). The following outcomes were compared between fetuses with a baseline ranging between 110 and 149 bpm and those with a baseline ranging between 150 and 160 bpm: incidence of meconium-stained amniotic fluid, intrapartum hyperpyrexia, mode of delivery, Apgar at 5 minutes <7, arterial pH <7.1 and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit admission, incidence of a composite adverse neonatal outcome. RESULTS: In all, 1004 CTG traces were included in the analysis, 860 in Group 110-149 bpm and 144 in Group 150-160 bpm. Group 150-160 bpm had a significantly higher incidence of meconium-stained amniotic fluid (odds ratio [OR] 2.6; 95% CI 1.8-3.8), maternal intrapartum hyperpyrexia (OR 4.7; 95% CI 1.1-14.6), urgent/emergent cesarean section for suspected fetal distress (OR 13.4; 95% CI 3.3-54.3), Apgar <7 at 5th min (OR 9.13; 95% CI 1.5-55.1) and neonatal acidemia (OR 3.5; 95% CI 1.5-55.1). Logistic regression including adjustiing for potential confounders showed that fetal heart rate between 150 and 160 bpm is an independent predictor of meconium-stained amniotic fluid (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.2; 95% CI 1.5-3.3), cesarean section during labor for fetal distress (aOR 10.7; 95% CI 2.9-44.6), neonatal acidemia (aOR 2.6; 95% CI 1.1-6.7) and adverse composite neonatal outcome (aOR 2.6; 95% CI 1.2-5.6). CONCLUSIONS: In fetuses at 40 weeks or beyond, an intrapartum fetal heart rate baseline ranging between 150 and 160 bpm seems associated with a higher incidence of labor complications.