Comparison of Extraamniotic Corticosteroids Injection versus Extraamniotic Saline Infusion for Ripening of the Cervix

Abstract

Objective: To compare the effectiveness, safety and patient acceptability of extraamniotic corticosteroids injection versus; extraamniotic saline infusion for ripening of the cervix in induction of labour. Study design: An interventional randomized comparative clinical study.Patients & methods: This study was conducted in Gynaecology and Obstetric department of Al-Kadimyia teaching hospital. The study includes 100 pregnant women with a gestational age of 36-42 weeks, an unfavorable cervix and obstetric indication for induction of labour. The patients were divided into group A and group B. Group A received dexamethasone in saline solution, and group B received saline solution only with a concentration of (0.9%) administered extraamniotically through an intracervical inflated Foley's catheter. Results: Group A achieved the higher post-ripening Bishop's score. The mean priming and the induction-delivery interval times were significantly shorter in-group A compared with those of group B (2.61 ± 0.42 h versus 4.38 ± 0.32 h with a P value = 0.0001 and 6.38 ± 1.57h versus 9.15 ± 0.99 h with a P value = 0.0001 respectively). Conclusion: Extraamniotic corticosteroids injection was found to be superior method for induction of labour in comparison with extraamniotic saline infusion. Key words: Induction of labour, Bishop's score, Corticosteroids