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BACKGROUND: To decrease maternal and fetal morbidity oftem is indicated the elective termination of pregnancy; when the cervix is unfavourable, it is possible to try to artificially reproduce these changes with exogenous prostaglandins. OBJECTIVES: Comparative evaluation of maternal and fetal results between patients in which cervical ripening is practiced with indication of premature rupture of membranes and those with prolonged pregnancy. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Historic cohorts study about pregnancies requiring cervical ripening, either for premature rupture of membranes or for gestational age > or = 41 weeks, in the "Miguel Servet" Hospital (Zaragoza, Spain), from 15/11/2005 to 15/05/2008. In all the cases dinoprostone (slow release vaginal system) was employed and the initial Bishop score was < 7. The main analysed outcomes were: intrapartum fetal heart monitoring characteristics, type of delivery, umbilical artery pH, Apgar score, hospitalization in neonatal unit requirement and time from cervical ripening start to delivery. RESULTS: Neonatal hospitalization was significantly more frequent in the ruptured membranes cohort (11.70% vs 2.33%); p = 0.001. This difference could be justified by gestational age (OR: 2,623. IC: 0.515-13.353. P = 0.246). It was observed more time cervical ripening - delivery in prolonged pregnancies cohort (25.96h vs 20.11h); p < 0.001. Umbilical cord medium pH was significantly superior in ruptured membranes group (7.25 vs 7.23); p = 0.017. No significant differences were observed in the rest of analyzed outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnancies electively ended for premature rupture of membranes are associated with a shorter time to delivery and a slightly superior umbilical cord pH than induced prolonged pregnancies. Neonatal hospitalization requirement is determined by gestational age but not by the rupture of the membranes. Cervical ripening in those patients has been demonstrated to be secure and effective.

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OBJECTIVES: Define methods of induction of labour for the population of pregnant women at the end of 41 SA and beyond, including membranes sweeping, mechanical and pharmacological procedures as oxytocin, prostaglandin E1 (misoprostol) and E2 (dinoprostone) and other methods as well for the scarred uterus. METHODS: Bibliographic research done by consulting databases PubMed, and Cochrane. RESULTS: Membrane sweeping reduces by 41% the need of induction of labour at 41 SA and 72% for postterm (42 SA). Membrane sweeping is a technique with some discomfort for the patient but has advantages. This procedure should not be imposed on patients in a systematic visit because it presents inconveniences (contractions, bleeding, pain). Oxytocin remains the gold standard used for labour induction and requires well-codified rationale protocols in maternity for increasing doses. Most of the trials show that this product is appropriate when the cervix is considered as favorable (Bishop ≥ 6). In the presence of intact membranes, induction by oxytocin must be associated with amniotomy for a significant reduction in "induction-delivery" period. The Foley catheter is a mechanically reliable, reproducible method for inducing labour with less uterine hyperstimulation without increasing the rate of caesarean sections. It is an interesting process but maternal and neonatal infectious morbidity appears to be possibly increased. The non-vaginal PGE2 (cervical) are no longer recommended. The PGE2 vaginal gel or pessary are comparable methods to induce labour. They can be used to successfully induce labour regardless of cervical Bishop score. In case of unfavorable cervical conditions, PGE2 can reduce the use of oxytocin and decrease the required doses. Misoprostol is a molecule that may be proposed for induction of labour provided to know the doses, risks and side effects and to adapt materno-fetal monitoring. The optimal route of administration remains yet to be assessed because of a higher risk of hyperstimulation or tachysystole. Initial doses should be 25 µg. However, misoprostol did not have the authorization in this indication and merit some caution when using it. Prostaglandin E1 is associated with a high risk of uterine rupture and should not be used after caesarean section. Acupuncture, homeopathy NO donors, breast stimulation or sexual intercourse are methods ineffective in all conditions or assessment is insufficient to conclude with evidence based medicine. CONCLUSION: In postterm, different procedures could be performed for induction of labour. Furthermore membrane sweeping, oxytocin is the drug of choice for induction on favourable cervix and one of the most commonly used drugs. Vaginal prostaglandins E2 are effective whatever the cervical conditions. Misoprostol is a very interesting pharmacological molecule without authorization in this indication but has real advantages on efficacy, cost, storage and administration. Other studies with high power have to remain on track and to focus on the optimal and route doses because of increased risk of tachysystole or hyperstimulation with effects on the FHR. Minimal doses at 25µg seem to be safe. The Foley catheter is a reliable method without any pharmacological effect and opening interesting perspectives but with caution about the possible increased infectious risks.

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OBJECTIVES: To attempt to determine for post-term pregnancies the optimal gestational age when the benefit-harm balance is in favor of induction labor in comparison with an expectative management including close monitoring. METHODS: Articles were searched using PubMed, Embase and Cochrane library. RESULTS: Current literature data are insufficient to demonstrate that routine labor induction is superior, inferior or equivalent to an expectant management to reduce maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity (EL2). Although it is impossible to determine certainly a gestational age for which the benefit-harm balance is in favor of induction labor, epidemiological data regarding the perinatal mortality suggest that an expectant management is an unreasonable option after 42 completed weeks (EL3). Current data are insufficient to state positively or negatively that routine labor induction is associated significantly to a lower rate of cesarean delivery in comparison with an expectant management (EL2). There is no evidence of a statistically significant difference in the risk of cesarean section between the two policies for women with favorable cervices (Bishop score ≥ 5) (EL2). CONCLUSIONS: Induction of labor at 41(+0) to 42(+6)weeks should be proposed to women with uncomplicated post-term pregnancies (EL2). The optimal age gestionnal for induction will depend mainly on maternal characteristics (EL4), but also on women's preferences and organization of maternity cares, after having delivered information regarding the benefits and harms of both labor induction and expectant management (expert opinion). After 42(+0)weeks, expectant management is a possible option (expert opinion). Nevertheless, it may be associated with an increase of risks for the fetus, that must be explained to the patient and be weighed against the possible disadvantages of an induction of labor (expert opinion).

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BACKGROUND: Amniotomy or artificial rupture of membranes is routinely used for induction of labour. AIMS: To assess the efficacy of amniotomy alone for induction. METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study of 3,586 cases of amniotomy for induction of labour between July 1996 and December 1999. RESULTS: In total, 26,670 women delivered in the National Maternity Hospital during the study period. Of these 4,928 women required induction of labour and 72.8% of these (n = 3,586) underwent amniotomy only for induction of labour. Spontaneous labour occurred in 90.1% of the women who underwent amniotomy within 24 h. Oxytocin as an induction agent was employed in 9.8% of cases. Overall, 80.5% of the women had a spontaneous delivery, 7.3% had a ventouse delivery, 4.3% had a forceps delivery, and 7.9% underwent a caesarean section. In total, 90.5% of multips and 63.4% of primips had a spontaneous vaginal delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Amniotomy is a simple, safe and effective method of induction of labour.

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OBJECTIVES: To compare perinatal and maternal outcomes between elective induction of labor versus expectant management of pregnancies at 41 weeks and beyond. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: We searched PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR), Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effectiveness (DARE) and PsycINFO (1980 to November, 2007). Inclusion criteria were systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials comparing elective induction of labor versus expectant management of pregnancies at 41 weeks and beyond. Three or more reviewers independently read and evaluated all selected studies. Data were extracted and analyzed using Review Manager Software. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Perinatal mortality. RESULTS: Thirteen trials fulfilled the inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis. Elective induction of labor was not associated with lower risk of perinatal mortality compared to expectant management (relative risks (RR): 0.33; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.10-1.09). Elective induction was associated with a significantly lower rate of meconium aspiration syndrome (RR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.23-0.79). More women randomized to expectant management were delivered by cesarean section (RR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.80-0.96). CONCLUSIONS: The meta-analysis illustrated a problem with rare outcomes such as perinatal mortality. No individual study with adequate sample size has been published, nor would a meta-analysis based on the current literature be sufficient. The optimal management of pregnancies at 41 weeks and beyond is thus unknown.

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This paper reviews global data on caesarean section (CS) focusing on Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) countries for which data could be obtained. CS rates in the EMR tend to average around 10%. The data, however, are often not representative of the whole country, being mostly hospital rather than community based. Global and regional CS trends, determinants, and outcomes are presented. Controversies and consensus over the indications for CS are reviewed. The cost of rising CS rates, women's involvement in decision-making, the role of health workers, data quality and legal aspects are highlighted, with discussion of the aim of reducing unduly high CS rates and promoting high-quality maternity care.

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