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Safety and efficacy of stripping of membranes at term
Author(s) -
Gupta R,
Vasishta K,
Sawhney H,
Ray P
Publication year - 1998
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/s0020-7292(97)00249-x
Subject(s) - medicine , chorioamnionitis , prom , gestational age , rupture of membranes , incidence (geometry) , obstetrics , gestation , premature rupture of membranes , pregnancy , genetics , physics , optics , biology
Objectives : To assess the efficacy of stripping of membranes in initiation of labor and to study its effect on maternal and perinatal morbidity. Method : One‐hundred primigravidae with certain gestational dates were randomized at 38 weeks gestation to either receive stripping of membranes or only gentle cervical examination. Cervical swabs were taken before pelvic examination at 38 weeks and again at the onset of labor. Placental membranes were sent for bacteriological study after delivery in all patients. Results : The mean gestational age, parity and Bishop score were similar in both groups at recruitment. Gestational age at delivery was lower in the study group (38.70±0.63) compared to the control group. Seventy‐two percent of the study group and 8% of the control group had spontaneous onset of labor within 7 days of examination. Labor was induced in one patient (2%) of the study group and 16 patients (32%) of the control group. No statistically significant difference was noted in incidence of premature rupture of membranes (PROM), mode of delivery, intrapartum events and perinatal outcome. No increase in neonatal morbidity was seen in association with this procedure. No patient in the study group had clinical evidence of chorioamnionitis. There was no statistically significant difference in the microbiological flora of both groups. Conclusion : Stripping of the fetal membranes is a safe and efficacious procedure for induction of labor. It decreases the incidence of induction of labor with no increase in incidence of maternal and neonatal morbidity.