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


CONCLUSIONS
In appropriately selected women, the use of amniotomy induction in a rural maternity unit is both safe and effective.
Janes
R
R
Wairoa Hospital, Hawkes Bay. ronjanes@xtra.co.nz
D000328:Adult; D000650:Amnion / Q000601:surgery*; D020070:Cervical Ripening; D005260:Female; D006780:Hospitals, Rural; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007751:Labor, Induced / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D011273:Pregnancy, Prolonged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae