Success rate of repeated cycles of induction in labour in a UK clinical
setting: A cohort study
Abstract
Objectives: The aim of the study is to identify the success rate of a
repeat cycle of induction of labour (IOL) with prostaglandins, and any
association between smoking and patient response to prostaglandin.
Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Basildon and Thurrock
University Hospital, UK. Sample: IOL data from patients at Basildon
University Hospital, between 01/01/2021 and 30/03/2021 were included.
Methods: Data were retrieved from hospital records and categorised by
prostaglandin cycle(s), administration of oxytocin, artificial rupture
of membranes (ARM), spontaneous rupture of membranes (SROM), smoking
status, patient BMI, age, ethnicity, gestation age, Bishop score, and
delivery method (assisted, unassisted, or Caesarean (C-)section). The
data were analysed using chi-square, binomial and multinomial logistic
regression. Main Outcome Measures: Success rate was interpreted from
relative frequencies of delivery method (unassisted, assisted or
C-section). Results: Unassisted vaginal delivery (n =121; 48.0%) was
the most common outcome with prostaglandin IOL followed by C-section (n
= 105 41.7%). Only 10.3% had an assisted vaginal delivery. Of those
who had a repeated IOL cycle, 85.7% had a C-section. There was no
difference in prostaglandin administration by smoking status or any
association between smoking status and mode of delivery in IOL.
Conclusion: Repeat cycle of IOL does not enhance the vaginal delivery
with only 14.3% unassisted vaginal births. There was no evidence that
smoking impacted on response to prostaglandins or method of delivery.
Funding: There was no funding for this study. Keywords: artificial
rupture of membranes; C-section; repeat induction of labour; spontaneous
rupture of membranes; Unassisted vaginal delivery.