Comparison of Artificial Rupture of Membranes with Intact Membrane in Labouring Multigravidae

Background: To study the effect of amniotomy on the duration of labour and Apgar Score of babies in laboring multigravidae Methods: In this interventional study, 100 women with uncomplicated term pregnancy and spontaneous onset of labour were divided in two groups. Patients were in active labour with Bishop score 5-6 and intact membranes. Fifty women underwent amniotomy (groupA) while fifty women did not have amniotomy (groupB). Duration of labour was noted in hours and categorized as more than 6hrs and less than 6hrs in both groups. Apgar scores of babies were noted at 5 minutes of delivery and categorized as upto 6/10 or more than 6/10 in both groups. Results: Forty patients in group A were delivered with in 6hrs and only 10 patients took more than 6 hrs to deliver. Where as in group B, 11 patients were delivered with in 6hrs and 39 patients delivered after 6hrs. Forty three babies in group A and 45 babies in group B had more than 6/10 Apgar score. Seven newborns in group A and 5 newborns in group B had Apgar Scores upto 6/10. Conclusion: Amniotomy in established onset of labour reduces the duration of labour with no significant effect on neonatal outcome.