The effects of amniotomy on labor duration, cesarean section rates, and maternal and fetal outcomes

Objective: We aimed to investigate the effects of amniotomy during spontaneous labor on the durations of labor stages, cesarean section (C/S) rates, and maternal and fetal outcomes. Methods: This prospective study was performed through basic randomization to investigate the effects of amniotomy on labor duration, delivery type, morbidity/mortality rates during puerperal period and premature newborn outcomes in pregnant women with low risk who admitted to Obstetrics Clinic of Zekai Tahir Burak Women’s Health Training and Research Hospital and delivered at our hospital. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between pregnant women who underwent and did not undergo amniotomy in terms of the period elapsed until cervical dilation was 6 cm, until 10 cm after cervical dilation was 6 cm and until delivery after it reached 10 cm and total labor duration (p>0.05). The C/S rate (p=0.030) and hospitalization duration (p=0.04) of pregnant women who underwent amniotomy was significantly higher than those who did not undergo amniotomy. There was no difference between two groups in terms of morbidity/mortality during puerperal period and premature newborn outcomes. Conclusion: Amniotomy does not reduce the labor duration in the management of spontaneous labor; as it increases the rate of C/S and hospitalization duration of mother, it should not be performed as a routine practice in training and research hospitals.