A randomized comparison of transcervical Foley catheter to intravaginal misoprostol for preinduction cervical ripening

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of intravaginal misoprostol tablets with transcervical Foley catheter for preinduction cervical ripening. METHODS: Pregnant women who presented for induction of labor with unfavorable cervices (Bishop score less than 6) were assigned randomly to intravaginal misoprostol (50 microg tablet every 4 hours for a maximum of six doses) or 30-mL Foley catheter placed transcervically with maintenance of traction. RESULTS: Among 111 women, 53 were allocated to misoprostol and 58 to Foley bulb. Contractile abnormalities were more frequent in the misoprostol group (20.4%) than the Foley group (0%) (P <.001). No statistically significant differences were noted between groups in change in Bishop score, preinduction cervical ripening times, and total induction times. There were no statistically significant differences in mode of delivery or adverse neonatal outcomes. Uterine rupture occurred in one woman with two previous cesarean deliveries in the misoprostol group. CONCLUSION: Intravaginal misoprostol and transcervical Foley catheter are equivalent for cervical ripening. Uterine contractile abnormalities and meconium passage are more common with misoprostol.     

Intracervical Foley catheter balloon vs. prostaglandin in preinduction cervical ripening.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of the intracervical Foley balloon catheter and 3 mg prostaglandin E(2) tablet(s) in preinduction cervical ripening. METHODS: Ninety women referred to the maternity clinic for induction of labor with a Bishop score of less than or equal to 5 were randomized to receive an intracervical Foley catheter or prostaglandin E(2) tablets. The primary measured outcome was ripening of the cervix as measured with the Bishop score. RESULTS: There were no differences in mean Bishop scores between the prostaglandin and the Foley catheter groups. Bishop scores (mean+/-S.D.) after ripening were 6.6+/-0.80 and 6.7+/-0.86 for the Foley catheter and prostaglandin groups, respectively (P=0.54). The Foley catheter group showed a statistically shorter time to ripening compared with the prostaglandin group (3.4+/-2.1 and 6.5+/-3.2 h, respectively (P=0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in induction time (4.8+/-1.8 h and 5.3+/-2.4 h, respectively (P=0.36). CONCLUSIONS: There are no differences in preinduction cervical ripening efficacy between prostaglandin E(2) and the Foley catheter, but the Foley catheter has the advantage of ripening an unfavorable cervix in a shorter time.     

Preinduction cervical ripening techniques compared

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical efficacy of pharmacologic, mechanical and combination techniques of cervical ripening. STUDY DESIGN: From March 1997 to August 1998, all cervical-ripening patients at Lehigh Valley Hospital were randomly assigned to three groups: intravaginal misoprostol, intracervical Foley catheter, or combination prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) gel and Foley catheter. Inclusion criteria included Bishop score < or = 5 and no contraindication to labor. The remaining delivery process was actively managed according to established guidelines. Multiple variables in perinatal outcome were analyzed, with the cesarean section rate and time from ripening to delivery as the main outcome variables. RESULTS: Of the 205 patients, 65 were randomized to the misoprostol group, 71 to the Foley group and 69 to the catheter-and-gel group. There were no differences between groups in delivery indications, maternal demographics, ultrasound findings, labor interventions, intrapartum times, mode of delivery, postpartum complications or neonatal outcomes. The misoprostol group demonstrated a higher rate of uterine tachysystole and required oxytocin less when compared to the two catheter groups. CONCLUSION: The higher rate of uterine tachysystole with misoprostol did not increase the cesarean section rate. The higher rate of oxytocin required by the two catheter groups did not increase the delivery time intervals. There appears to be no benefit to adding intracervical or intravaginal PGE2 gel to the intracervical Foley balloon. The misoprostol and catheter ripening techniques have similar safety and efficacy.     

Cervical ripening and induction of labor with misoprostol,dinoprostone gel,and a Foley catheter: a randomized trial of 3 techniques

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of 3 different techniques of cervical ripening and induction. STUDY DESIGN: Patients who required cervical ripening and induction were randomized to one of 3 groups: (1) supracervical Foley catheter and intravaginal dinoprostone gel, (2) supracervical Foley catheter and 100 microg oral doses of misoprostol, or (3) serial 100-microg oral doses of misoprostol. Intravenous oxytocin was administered when a protraction disorder of labor was identified. RESULTS: There were 339 women randomized. There was no significant difference in the time from first intervention to delivery in the 3 groups (P =.546). In each group, a similar percentage of women required oxytocin (P =.103). The rates of cesarean delivery were equivalent among the groups (P =.722). Rates of tachysystole were high but statistically equivalent among the 3 groups. There were no significant differences in Apgar scores or umbilical artery pH. CONCLUSION: Oral 100 microg serial doses of misoprostol, with or without the use of a supracervical Foley catheter, were equivalent to the use of a supracervical Foley catheter and serial 4-mg doses of dinoprostone gel for cervical ripening and the induction of labor.     

Comparison of extraamniotic Foley catheter and intracervical prostaglandin E gel for preinduction cervical ripening

BACKGROUND: The success of induced labor depends on the degree of ripening of cervix. Pharmacological preparations are in widespread use for cervical ripening but are not free from side-effects and complications. Mechanical methods, i.e. the use of Foley catheter balloon, though effective have not gained much popularity because of the fear of infection. Therefore, this study has been conducted to prove the efficacy and safety of extraamniotic Foley catheter balloon and to compare it with intracervical prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) gel. METHODS: The randomized prospective study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Medical Microbiology of Nehru Hospital. Hundred women attending the labor ward for induction of labor were divided into two groups: Group A--Foley catheter, Group B--PGE2 gel. Cervical swabs before and after the insertion of ripening agents were taken for culture studies. Placental membranes were also sent for culture. Labor outcome, side-effects, and complications were compared in both the groups. The statistical methods used were Student's compared t-test, Chi-square test, and Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: Foley catheter proved to be a very effective preinduction ripening agent for unfavorable cervix compared with PGE2 gel, as is evident by the mean Bishop score at 12 h (P<0.001). Preparation delivery interval was significantly shorter (P<0.05) in women who underwent cervical ripening with Foley catheter balloon than with the PGE2 gel. No clinical evidence of chorioamnionitis was present in both the groups. CONCLUSION: This study concludes that extraamniotic Foley catheter balloon is an effective, safe, simple, low-cost, reversible, non-pharmacological mechanical method of preinduction cervical ripening.     

A prospective randomized controlled trial that compared misoprostol, Foley catheter, and combination misoprostol-Foley catheter for labor induction

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of combination intravaginal misoprostol and intracervical Foley catheter for prelabor cervical ripening. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted. Women who were undergoing labor induction, with a singleton gestation >or=28 weeks and an unfavorable cervix (Bishop score 相似文献   

Preinduction cervical ripening. A randomized trial of intravaginal misoprostol alone vs. a combination of transcervical Foley balloon and intravaginal misoprostol.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if the addition of a mechanical ripening agent (transcervical Foley balloon) to a pharmacologic agent (intravaginal misoprostol) improves the efficiency of preinduction cervical ripening. STUDY DESIGN: Singleton patients with an indication for delivery, unfavorable cervix (Bishop score < or = 5) and no contraindication to labor were randomly assigned to two groups: misoprostol alone (25 micrograms intravaginally every 3 hours for no more than 12 hr) or combination therapy (25-French transcervical Foley balloon inflated to 50 mL of sterile water with identical intravaginal misoprostol dosing). All patients received a history and physical examination (including Bishop score), preripening ultrasound, electronic fetal heart rate and contraction monitoring (to rule out spontaneous labor and document fetal well-being). Multiple variables of perinatal outcome were analyzed, including the main outcome variables of ripening-to-delivery time and cesarean section rate. RESULTS: During August 1998 to August 1999, 81 patients were randomized, 40 to misoprostol alone and 41 to combination therapy. There were no differences between the groups with respect to maternal demographics, preripening Bishop score, maternal complications, intrapartum intervention or neonatal outcome. The misoprostol group spent longer periods of time in active labor, and there was a trend for the combination group to require oxytocin for longer intervals. These findings did not significantly affect the total ripening-to-delivery time or cesarean section rate which were similar for both groups. CONCLUSION: The addition of mechanical ripening with a transcervical Foley balloon to intravaginal misoprostol did not improve the efficiency of preinduction cervical ripening. Mechanical and pharmacologic cervical ripening agents appear to act independently rather than synergistically.     

Oral misoprostol vs. intravaginal prostaglandin E2 for preinduction cervical ripening. A randomized trial

OBJECTIVE: To compare orally administered misoprostol with intravaginal prostaglandin E2 for cervical ripening and labor induction. STUDY DESIGN: Patients presenting with medical or obstetric indications for labor induction whose Bishop's score was < or = 6 were randomly allocated to receive either 50 micrograms of oral misoprostol or 4 mg of intravaginal prostaglandin E2. If adequate cervical ripening (Bishop score of 9 or cervical dilatation of 3) or active labor did not ensue, repeat doses of each medication were administered every four hours. A maximum of six doses of either oral misoprostol or intravaginal prostaglandin E2 was permitted. Intravenous oxytocin was subsequently administered according to a standardized infusion protocol. RESULTS: Sixty patients were enrolled, with 29 randomized to the oral misoprostol arm and 31 to the prostaglandin E2 group. The data on 58 patients were eligible for analysis. Delivery occurred within 48 hours in 96.4% (27/28) of those administered oral misoprostol as compared to 76.7% (23/30) of those who received intravaginal prostaglandin E2 (P = .03). The mean time intervals from the start of induction to delivery were similar between the two groups (1,496 +/- 120 vs. 1,723 +/- 230 minutes, P = .40). No statistically significant differences existed between the two groups with respect to intrapartum complications, tachysystole, uterine hyperstimulation or adverse neonatal outcomes. CONCLUSION: Oral administration of misoprostol is an effective alternative to intravaginal prostaglandin E2 for preinduction cervical ripening.     

Preinduction cervical ripening with the Foley catheter and the risk of subsequent preterm birth

OBJECTIVE: The Foley catheter is a safe and effective form of preinduction cervical ripening and is quickly growing in popularity. Its major effect appears to be through mechanical dilation, which has raised the concern that the use of the Foley catheter for cervical ripening may damage the cervix and result in a higher rate of subsequent preterm birth. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a review of all induction of labor at our institution from July 1998 to July 2001 that required preinduction cervical ripening and had a subsequent birth. The primary outcome variable was preterm birth at <35 weeks of gestation. Demographic and potential confounding variables were analyzed. A probability value of <.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The cases of 126 women (63 women in the Foley group and 63 women in the prostaglandin group) were studied. Women in the prostaglandin group had a prostaglandin agent used. There was no difference in maternal age, gravidity, parity, Bishop score, total time of induction, gestational age, oxytocin use, maximum oxytocin level, tobacco or drug use, or type of delivery in the index pregnancy between the groups. In the subsequent pregnancies, there were no differences in maternal age, gravidity, parity, spontaneous abortions, terminations, cone or Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP) procedures, history of cervical manipulation, tobacco or drug use, stillbirth, need for induction, mode of delivery, episiotomy, gestational age at delivery, Apgar scores, labor duration, use of oxytocin, or birth weight. There were no differences in preterm birth at 37, 35, or 32 weeks of gestation between the groups. CONCLUSION: The use of the Foley catheter for preinduction cervical ripening does not appear to increase the risk of preterm birth in a subsequent pregnancy.     

Labor progression and risk of cesarean delivery in electively induced nulliparas

OBJECTIVE: To describe the pattern of labor progression and risk of cesarean delivery in women whose labor was electively induced. METHODS: We analyzed data on all low-risk, nulliparous women with an elective induction or spontaneous onset of labor between 37 + 0 and 40 + 6 weeks from January 2002 to March 2004 at a single institution. The median duration of labor by each centimeter of cervical dilation and the risk of cesarean delivery were computed for 143 women with preinduction cervical ripening and oxytocin induction, 286 women with oxytocin induction, and 1,771 women with a spontaneous onset of labor. An intracervical Foley catheter was used to ripen the cervix. RESULTS: Electively induced labor with cervical ripening had substantially slower latent and early active phases. After controlling for potential confounders, women who had an elective induction with cervical ripening had 3.5 times the risk of cesarean delivery during the first stage of labor (95% confidence interval 2.7-4.5), compared with those admitted in spontaneous labor. Elective induction without cervical ripening, on the other hand, was associated with a faster labor progression from 4 to 10 cm (266 compared with 358 minutes, P < .01) and did not increase the risk of cesarean delivery, compared with those in spontaneous labor. CONCLUSION: The pattern of labor progression differs substantially for women with an electively induced labor compared with those with spontaneous onset of labor. Furthermore, elective induction in nulliparous women with an unfavorable cervix has a high rate of labor arrest and a substantially increased risk of cesarean delivery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-2.     

Cervical ripening: A randomized comparison between intravaginal misoprostol and an intracervical balloon catheter combined with intravaginal dinoprostone

OBJECTIVES: Our purpose was to compare the efficacy of intravaginal misoprostol and intracervical Foley catheter/intravaginal dinoprostone for cervical ripening. STUDY DESIGN: Patients admitted for induction of labor were randomized to receive intravaginal misoprostol 25 μg every 4 hours or intracervical Foley catheter/intravaginal dinoprostone 4 mg every 4 hours. Patients not entering active labor and having ruptured membranes or arrest of dilatation received intravenous oxytocin. RESULTS: Sixty-five patients received Foley catheter/dinoprostone gel and 62 patients received misoprostol. The mean time until cervical ripening was less in the catheter/gel group (7.5 ± 3.4 vs 12.0 ± 5.9 hours, p < 0.01). The mean time until vaginal delivery was less in the catheter/gel group (17.4 ± 6.9 vs 21.2 ± 7.5 hours, p = 0.004). Among vaginal deliveries, more patients in the catheter/gel group delivered within 24 hours (90% vs 69%, p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Intracervical Foley catheter/intravaginal dinoprostone was associated with more rapid cervical ripening, shorter induction to vaginal delivery interval, and greater number of vaginal deliveries within 24 hours. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1998;178:1333-40.)     

Double-blind comparison of intravaginal prostaglandin E2 gel and "chip" for preinduction cervical ripening

The intravaginal application of prostaglandin E2 for preinduction cervical ripening has proved to be advantageous in the management of patients with an unfavorable cervix. The purpose of this double-blind randomized investigation was to compare the efficacy and safety of two methods of prostaglandin E2 delivery. Patients who were to have preinduction cervical ripening because of an unfavorable cervix (Bishop score less than or equal to 4) were randomly assigned to be given a single dose of prostaglandin E2 as either 2.5 mg of gel or a 3.0 mg "chip" intravaginally in a placebo-controlled manner. Sixty-nine patients received the active prostaglandin E2, 34 in the gel group and 35 in the "chip" group. The groups were similar in maternal age, race, parity, gestational age, and initial Bishop score. Both forms of prostaglandin E2 were easy to administer and helpful in priming an unfavorable cervix. The need for, duration of, and maximum dose of oxytocin were similar in both groups. Cesarean delivery because of failed induction occurred in 5 of 35 (14.3%) patients receiving a "chip" and 4 of 34 (11.8%) receiving the gel. However, patients receiving a "chip" experienced a 20% (7/35) incidence of hyperstimulation, compared with 2.9% (1/36) in those receiving the gel (p less than 0.05). The only case requiring immediate cesarean delivery because of intractable uterine hyperstimulation received a "chip." We conclude that both methods were effective for cervical ripening, but the lower incidence of uterine hyperstimulation seen with the gel would suggest that it is preferable to the "chip."     

Uterine rupture and dehiscence associated with intravaginal misoprostol cervical ripening

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if the prostaglandin E1 analogue misoprostol, when used as an agent for cervical ripening, is associated with uterine rupture. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a two-year retrospective chart review to determine the incidence of uterine rupture in patients with a previous cesarean delivery undergoing cervical ripening or the induction of labor. RESULTS: Uterine dehiscence occurred in 1 and uterine rupture occurred in 3 of 48 women with a prior cesarean delivery treated with 50 micrograms doses of intravaginal misoprostol for cervical ripening. Uterine rupture was found in 1 of 89 women who had an oxytocin infusion for induction of labor and none of the 24 patients who received intravaginal prostaglandin E2 placed for cervical ripening. CONCLUSION: Intravaginal misoprostol appears to be associated with an increased incidence of uterine rupture when used in patients undergoing a trial of labor after cesarean.     

Comparison of labor progression between induced and noninduced multiparous women

OBJECTIVE: The incidence of labor induction is rising rapidly in the United States. Among multiparas, labor is often followed with traditional labor curves derived from noninduced pregnancies. We sought to determine how labor progression of multiparous women who presented in spontaneous labor differed from those who were electively induced with and from those induced without preinduction cervical ripening. METHODS: We analyzed data on all low-risk multiparous women with an elective induction or spontaneous onset of labor between 37(+0) and 40(+6) weeks of gestation from January 2002 to March 2004 at a single institution. The median duration of labor by each centimeter of cervical dilatation and the risk of cesarean delivery were computed for 61 women with preinduction cervical ripening and oxytocin induction, 735 women with oxytocin induction, and 1,885 women with a spontaneous onset of labor. An intracervical Foley catheter was used to ripen the cervix. RESULTS: Those women who experienced electively induced labor without cervical ripening had a shorter active phase of labor than did those admitted in spontaneous labor (99 minutes in induced labor versus 161 minutes in spontaneous labor, P < .001). However, the cesarean delivery rate was elevated in the induction group (3.9% versus 2.3%, P < .05). Women who underwent preinduction cervical ripening also had a shorter active phase than those admitted in spontaneous labor (109 minutes versus 161 minutes, P = .01). CONCLUSION: The pattern of labor progression differs for women with an electively induced labor without cervical ripening compared with those who present with spontaneous onset of labor.     

Cervical ripening with transcervical foley catheter and the risk of uterine rupture

OBJECTIVE: To estimate whether the rate of uterine rupture in patients with a previous cesarean delivery is related to labor induction and/or cervical ripening using transcervical Foley catheter. METHODS: Charts of all patients who had a trial of labor after a previous cesarean delivery in our institution between 1988 and 2002 were reviewed. The rates of successful vaginal birth after cesarean delivery and uterine rupture in patients with spontaneous labor (control group) were compared with those of patients who underwent a labor induction by means of amniotomy with or without oxytocin and patients who underwent a labor induction/cervical ripening using a transcervical Foley catheter. Logistic regression analysis was performed to adjust for confounding variables. RESULTS: Of 2479 patients, 1807 had a spontaneous labor, 417 had labor induced by amniotomy with or without oxytocin, and 255 had labor induced by using transcervical Foley catheter. The rate of successful vaginal birth after cesarean delivery was significantly different among the groups (78.0% versus 77.9% versus 55.7%, P <.001), but not the rate of uterine rupture (1.1% versus 1.2% versus 1.6%, P =.81). After adjusting for confounding variables, the odds ratio (OR) for successful vaginal birth after cesarean delivery was 0.68 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.41, 1.15), and the OR for uterine rupture was 0.47 (95% CI 0.06, 3.59) in patients who underwent an induction of labor using a transcervical Foley catheter when compared with patients with spontaneous labor. CONCLUSION: Labor induction using a transcervical Foley catheter was not associated with an increased risk of uterine rupture.     

30 mL和60 mL容量宫颈扩张球囊对足月妊娠促宫颈成熟效果比较

目的：探讨两种不同容量的宫颈扩张球囊用于足月妊娠促宫颈成熟的临床疗效观察,为提高引产成功率,降低产后不良影响提供临床依据。方法：随机抽取2017年6月-2017年12月同济大学附属第一妇婴保健院收治的具有引产指征且宫颈评分＜6分的足月单胎孕妇400例作为观察对象,根据不同的球囊注水容量随机分为2组,Foley单球囊注水30 mL促宫颈成熟组（F30组）200例,Foley单球囊注水60 mL促宫颈成熟组（F60组）200例,比较2组患者的促宫颈成熟效果、引产效果以及孕产妇和新生儿转归情况。结果：2组患者治疗前Bishop评分比较,差异无统计学意义（χ2=1.280,P=0.201）,治疗后2组患者Bishop评分均上升,治疗后Bishop评分比较,差异有统计学意义（χ2=-4.137,P=0.000）。2组初产妇的引产-分娩时间比较差异有统计学意义（t=4.204,P=0.000）。多因素分析显示球囊容量是初产妇24 h内成功阴道分娩的影响因素（OR=1.990,95%CI：1.444～2.742,P=0.000）。研究中20例瘢痕子宫孕妇用宫颈扩张球囊促宫颈成熟,其中18例顺利阴道分娩,无相关并发症。2组孕产妇和新生儿结局比较,差异均无统计学意义（均P＞0.05）。结论：对足月宫颈条件不成熟的孕妇（包括剖宫产术后再次妊娠者）采用宫颈扩张球囊引产,安全有效,Foley 60 mL球囊在促宫颈成熟方面效果更好,且适当缩短引产-分娩时间。     

Randomized, double-blind trial of prostaglandin E2 intravaginal gel versus low-dose oxytocin for cervical ripening before induction of labor

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to compare two methods of preinduction cervical ripening in a randomized, double-blind clinical trial. STUDY DESIGN: Two intravaginal, 4 mg prostaglandin E₂ gel applications administered 4 hours apart were compared with 10 hours of low-dose oxytocin (2 mU/min) in 200 patients undergoing preinduction cervical ripening. RESULTS: There were no differences in parity, initial Bishop scores, estimated gestational ages, indications for induction, or birth weights. Prostaglandin E₂ gel was significantly better (p < 0.0001) at achieving a change in the Bishop score of 3 or more. The number of successful inductions was significantly greater (p < 0.0003) and the mean time to active labor was significantly shorter (p < 0.0002) in the prostaglandin E₂ group than in the oxytocin group. More multiple-day inductions (p < 001) occurred in the oxytocin group, and fewer discharged patients who did not deliver infants (p < 003) were seen in the prostaglandin E₂ gel group. There were no differences between patient groups in the cesarean section rate, meconium staining, hyperstimulation, and Apgar scores. CONCLUSION: Two 4 mg doses of prostaglandin E₂ intravaginal gel applied 4 hours apart are superior to low-dose oxytocin in producing cervical ripening and preparing for successful induction. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1996;174:1910-6.)     

Influence of preinduction prostaglandin E2 vaginal gel on cervical ripening and labor

A sterile gel containing prostaglandin (PG) E2 (2 mg PGE2 10 ml gel) was instilled vaginally in 65 primigravidas with unripe cervixes to accelerate ripening before planned surgical induction of labor. The patients treated with the gel were compared with 30 similar untreated controls. In the PGE2-treated group a significant improvement on cervical score was achieved before labor began, and 47% began to labor "spontaneously" without further treatment. Both the duration of subsequent labor and the incidence of cesarean section were significantly lower in the PGE2-treated group. There were no unwanted fetal or maternal effects. Pretreatment with intravaginal PGE2 gel reduces the risk of failed induction and provides the mother with an experience similar to spontaneous labor without harming the fetus.     

Intravaginal misoprostol versus Foley catheter for cervical ripening and induction of labor.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of 100 microg of intravaginal misoprostol with intracervical Foley catheter for cervical ripening and induction of labor. METHOD: One hundred women being induced in the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, were randomized to receive a single 100 microg dose of misoprostol intravaginally or intracervical insertion of Foley catheter. Data analyses were by the Student's t-test and chi-square test. RESULT: Misoprostol was more effective in terms of induction to delivery interval (11.84+/-5.43 versus 20.03+/-4.68 h, P<0.05), change in Bishop score, and number delivered within 24 h, in patients with a one-time successful induction. Uterine hyperactivity and rupture were more frequent in the misoprostol group. CONCLUSION: A single 100 microg dose of intravaginal misoprostol is more efficacious than intracervical insertion of Foley catheter for cervical ripening and induction of labor. Further studies using lower doses are needed to determine the safest dose.     

Uterine rupture during induced trial of labor among women with previous cesarean delivery

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to compare the rates of uterine rupture during induced trials of labor after previous cesarean delivery with the rates during a spontaneous trial of labor. STUDY DESIGN: All deliveries between 1992 and 1998 among women with previous cesarean delivery were evaluated. Rates of uterine rupture were determined for spontaneous labor and different methods of induction. RESULTS: Of 2119 trials of labor, 575 (27%) were induced. The overall rate of uterine rupture was 0.71% (15/2119). The uterine rupture rate with induced trial of labor (8/575; 1.4%) was significantly higher than with a spontaneous trial of labor (7/1544; 0.45%; P =.0004). Uterine rupture rates associated with different methods of induction were compared with the rate seen with spontaneous labor and were as follows: prostaglandin E(2) gel, 2.9% (5/172; P =.004); intracervical Foley catheter, 0.76% (1/129; P =.47); and labor induction not requiring cervical ripening, 0.74% (2/274; P =.63). The uterine rupture rate associated with inductions other than with prostaglandin E(2) was 0.74% (3/474; P =.38). The relative risk of uterine rupture with prostaglandin E(2) use versus spontaneous trial of labor was 6.41 (95% confidence interval, 2. 06-19.98). CONCLUSION: Induction of labor was associated with an increased risk of uterine rupture among women with a previous cesarean delivery, and this association was highest when prostaglandin E(2) gel was used.