Current status of amniotomy in relationship to labor progress and delivery outcomes; A retrospective study

Abstract

Purpose
To determine the impact of amniotomy on spontaneous labour in uncomplicated pregnancies.
Methods
A retrospective study comparing outcomes for low-risk primiparous and multiparous women with spontaneous labour at term having amniotomy or no- amniotomy.
Results
A total of 326 primiparous (164 amniotomy group and 162 no-amniotomy group; and 435 multiparous (273 amniotomy group and 162 no-amniotomy group) yielded a total sample of 761 subjects. There was a statistically significant reduction in the length of the second stage of labour in the multiparous amniotomy group compared to the multiparous no-amniotomy group. The time from rupture to delivery was shorter in the primiparous amniotomy group and the multiparous amniotomy group compared with the no-amniotomy groups. Compared to the primiparous no-amniotomy group to the primiparous amniotomy group, there was a statistically significant difference for: oxytocin requirement (χ²=11.227, p=.001); Kristeller's expression (χ²=5.420, p=.020) and both Kristeller's expression and vaginal birth instrumentation (χ²=7.071, p=.001).
Conclusions
It is necessary to keep in mind that amniotomy had occurred with oxytocin, Kristeller's expression and both Kristeller's expression and vaginal birth instrumentation. A critical area to explore is the necessity of medical interventions post-amniotomy.