Induction of labor in women that had a previous cesarean delivery

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to evaluate factors that predict the likelihood of the success of induction of labor (IOL) in women that had a previous cesarean section (pCS).

Methods: Pregnant women with one pCS performed more than 18 months prior were included in this retrospective observational study. Of the 242 eligible women, 234 were enrolled; 120 (51.3%) of these women delivered vaginally (VD), with the remainder receiving a repeat CS.

Results: The main reasons for IOL were premature rupture of membranes (PROM) (37.1%) and post-date pregnancy (26.5%). Babies with a birth weight ≥4000 g were more prevalent in women undergoing CS (21/114; 18.4%, p < 0.02) and were associated with the failure of IOL. Uterine rupture during labor (1.3%) occurred in three cases.

Having had a previous vaginal delivery (VD) (p = 0.01), not being African (p = 0.022), and receiving IOL for PROM (p = 0.04) with a cervical Bishop score ≥5 (p = 0.015) significantly predicted the occurrence of a VD, with an 15% variance (p < 0.001). An age >35 years appears to not affect the success of induction.

Conclusions: A successful IOL should be expected in Caucasian women induced for PROM with a favorable Bishop score.

• Bishop score
• premature rupture of membranes
• vaginal birth

Declaration of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.