Prediction of labour and delivery by ascertaining the fetal head position with transabdominal ultrasound in pregnancies with prelabour rupture of membranes after 37 weeks.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the proportion of fetal head rotation from occiput posterior (OP) to occiput anterior (OA) during labour after term prelabour rupture of membranes (PROM), and to study if OP before labour are associated with a higher risk of operative deliveries and a longer duration of labour. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A transabdominal ultrasound examination was performed in 152 women with PROM after 37 weeks with a single live fetus in cephalic position. The course of labour was compared in women with the fetal head in occiput posterior position or other positions before the start of labour. RESULTS: Before the start of labour, 40 (26%) fetuses were in occiput posterior position (OP), but 34 (85%) of them rotated to occiput anterior (OA) during labour. Ten (6.6%) fetuses were delivered in OP, and six of them were in OP before the start of labour. There were no statistically significant associations between the head position before the start of labour and the duration from PROM to delivery, induction of labour, use of epidural analgesia, augmentation with oxytocin, operative deliveries, perineal tears, Apgar scores, pH or base excess in the umbilical artery. CONCLUSIONS: Transabdominal ultrasound examination can determine the fetal head position before the start of labour, but the position of the head did not predict the course of labour, probably because the fetal head may rotate during labour even after PROM.

Prediction of labor and delivery by transperineal ultrasound in pregnancies with prelabor rupture of membranes at term.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether engagement of the fetal head or cervical length in women with premature rupture of membranes (PROM) at term, are associated with time from PROM to delivery or need for operative delivery. METHODS: A transperineal ultrasound examination was performed in 152 women with a single live fetus in cephalic presentation after PROM (at > 37 gestational weeks). The shortest distance from the outer bony limit of the fetal skull to the skin surface of the perineum was measured in a transverse view, and the cervical length was measured in a sagittal view. The time from PROM to delivery was tested in a Cox regression analysis with ultrasound measurements, parity, maternal age, body mass index and birth weight as possible predictive factors. RESULTS: The head-perineal distance was associated with the time from PROM to delivery (log rank test, P < 0.001). Thirty-six hours after PROM, 32% (95% CI, 15-49) of women with a short head-perineal distance (< 45 mm) and 43% (95% CI, 24-62) of women with a long distance (> or = 45 mm) were still in labor. Women with a short head-perineal distance had fewer Cesarean sections, less use of epidural analgesia and a shorter time in active labor, and their babies had a higher pH in the umbilical artery. The measured cervical length was not associated independently with time to delivery. CONCLUSION: Transperineal ultrasound measurements of fetal head engagement may help clinicians to predict the course of labor in women with PROM.

A randomized prospective study of misoprostol and dinoproston for induction of labor.

BACKGROUND: Misoprostol, a prostaglandin E1 analog registered for the prevention of gastric ulcers in NSAID-drug users, has been reported to be more effective for labor induction than the standard prostaglandin, dinoproston after vaginal application. There have been some concerns about possible hyperstimulation of the uterine activity and about the safety for the fetus with this new drug. METHODS: Two hundred and ten patients, 36 weeks pregnant or more, with an unfavorable cervix, single pregnancy, and intact membranes were randomized to receive misoprostol, 50 micrograms intravaginally every 6 hours, or dinoproston 0.5 mg intracervically every 12 hours for a maximum of 24 hours, for labor induction. RESULTS: Time from induction to delivery was shorter in both primigravidae and multigravidae after the application of misoprostol than dinoproston and failed induction was more common after dinoproston than after misoprostol. There were no differences in the condition of the newborns in the two groups, according to Apgar score, umbilical artery pH or referral to the neonatal unit, even if there were more operative deliveries for suspected fetal asphyxia after misoprostol than after dinoproston. We did not find any significant difference in the frequency of uterine hyperstimulation between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In the dosage used, misoprostol seems to be an effective agent for induction of labor in patients with an unfavorable cervix. Low cost and ease of administration make this drug a promising alternative for this purpose. Surprisingly, there is little interest from the manufacturer to promote the use of this drug for labor induction.

[Epidural obstetrical analgesia--a friend or an enemy?]. / Epidural smertelindring ved fødsel--venn eller fiende?

Epidural analgesia in labour using local anaesthetics is very efficient, but the technique has been associated with undesired motor block and an increased use of instrumental deliveries. A new epidural analgesia technique, using a combination of low-dose local anaesthetics and opioids (fentanyl and sufentanil), has recently come into practice. The new epidural technique provides excellent analgesia, minimises motor block, allows the mother to ambulate, and minimises the need for instrumental delivery. Furthermore, it constitutes a good alternative to parenteral pethidine. We are of the opinion that all pregnant women should be given detailed information about both the benefits and the possible side-effects of epidural analgesia in good time before they go into labour. This will allow them to participate more actively in deciding whether or not to use analgesia during labour. Optimal use of epidural analgesia not only depends on the availability of a 24-hour anaesthesia service, but also on adequate knowledge and the cooperation and enthusiasm of all those involved, namely midwives, obstetricians and anaesthesiologists.