Rural hospital amniotomy induction for women at or past term with a healthy pregnancy and a favourable cervix: is it a safe option?

AIM: To assess the safety and efficacy of amniotomy induction of labour for women at or past term with a healthy pregnancy and a favourable cervix.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review of nine cases involving amniotrophy induction managed by the author since 1991, combined with a literature search for randomised controlled clinical trials of the use of amniotomy inducton.

RESULTS

All nine women delivered within fourteen hours of amniotomy. The only serious complication was group B streptcoccal septicaemia in one newborn that developed four hours after birth. No randomised controlled clinical trials was found that examined the use of amniotomy alone in a rural setting to induce women at or past term with a healthy pregnancy and a favourable cervix. However, studies from secondary care institutions of women at or past term with a favourable cervix, being induced for a variety of reasons, demonstrate that amniotomy is both safe and effective.

CONCLUSION

In appropriately selected women, the use of amniotomy induction in a rural maternity unit is both safe and effective.