Amniotic fluid index versus largest vertical pocket in the prediction of perinatal outcome in post-term pregnancies.

We studied a cohort of 41 singleton pregnancies induced at term with prostaglandins and, when necessary, oxytocin. We evaluated with ultrasound the amniotic fluid index (AFI) and the largest vertical pocket (LVP), at least 2 days before the delivery, to compare the sonographic measurement of amniotic fluid with fetal distress and perinatal outcome. We analysed the incidence of fetal distress using intrapartum monitoring of fetal heart rate, considering the absence of variability, the presence of persistent severe variable and/or late decelerations. The oligohydramnios group, indipendently by ultrasound index, showed the same incidence of abnormal FHR, and rate of Cesarean section for fetal distress as the group with normal amniotic fluid. In conclusion there is no significant difference between the group of patients with oligohydramnios and the one with normal amniotic fluid regarding the perinatal outcome in induced labor.