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Prolonged pregnancy: the management dilemma
Author(s) -
Herabutya Y.,
Prasertsawat P.O.,
Tongyai T.,
Isarangura Na Ayudthya N.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/0020-7292(92)90325-d
Subject(s) - medicine , obstetrics , fetal distress , gestation , meconium , labor induction , induction of labor , bishop score , pregnancy , apgar score , gestational age , gynecology , cervix , randomized controlled trial , fetus , prospective cohort study , intubation , oxytocin , anesthesia , surgery , cancer , biology , genetics
In a prospective randomized study, pregnancies with unfavorable cervix and well established gestational age of at least 42 weeks were selected for management by either antepartum fetal testing or prostaglandin gel induction of labor. Of the 108 pregnancies studied, 57 (53%) had labor induced and 51 (47%) continued without intervention. Comparison of the two groups showed no difference in meconium staining, fetal distress, length of first stage of labor, the need for intervention, or the mode of delivery. In terms of Apgar score the neonatal outcome was not significantly different but a greater proportion of the babies (7.8% versus 1.8%) in the noninduced group required intubation. Our data show that there is no particular advantage in letting the pregnancy go beyond 42 completed weeks of gestation especially if prostaglandin is available for induction of labor.