BACKGROUND: Spontaneous pre-labour rupture of membranes (SPROM) at term is one of the most common complications of pregnancy. It is an important cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality, particularly because it is associated with a latency period from membrane rupture to delivery. OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcome of labour in women who had immediate induction of labour, with those who had de...

Objective To determine neonatal outcomes (perinatal mortality and special care unit admission) and maternal outcomes (mode of delivery, delivery complications) of elective induction of labour compared with expectant management. Design Retrospective cohort study using an unselected population database. SettingConsultant andmidwife led obstetric units in Scotland 1981-2007. Participants 1 271 549...

Background This is one of a series of reviews of methods of cervical ripening and labour induction using standardised methodology. The use of complementary therapies is increasing and some women look to complementary therapies during pregnancy and childbirth to be used alongside conventional medical practice. Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine needles into specific points of the bo...

www.thelancet.com Published online April 9, 2015 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(14)62302-3 1 Fetal macrosomia (usually defi ned as an estimated fetal weight or birthweight >4000 g or ≥4500 g) is associated with various perinatal complications. Irrespective of which weight threshold is used, macrosomic fetuses have higher rates of shoulder dystocia and subsequent birth trauma than do non-m...

OBJECTIVE To assess the relationship of ultrasound assessment for amniotic fluid, fetal weight, cervical length, cervical funneling and clinical factors on the risk of Caesarean delivery after labour induction at term. METHODS On hundred and fifty-two women scheduled for labour induction at term agreed to participate. Sonography was performed to obtain fetal biometry, amniotic fluid index and...

Induction of labour (IOL) is one of the most frequently used techniques in current obstetrics. According to WHO, 25% of all deliveries in developed countries are induced. Generally, developing countries have lower rates of IOL [1]. The goal is to get the advancement of the delivery before its spontaneous evolution. There are many controversies on this procedure and; therefore, dissimilar guides...