Early induction of labour versus delayed induction following prelabour rupture of fetal membranes at term

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to compare both maternal and fetal outcome in patients with confirmed prelabour rupture of membranes (PROM) at term after early induction of labour shortly after the rupture of membranes (within 6 h) versus delayed induction 24 h after expectant management of PROM. Design The study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial. Tertiary referral centre participants included women with premature rupture of membranes randomly divided into two groups. Group 1 comprised 50 patients in whom labour was induced within 6 h after rupture of the membranes and group 2 comprised 50 patients who did not go into spontaneous labour 24 h after expectant management of PROM when labour was then induced. Results The rate of cesaerean section was significantly different among the study groups (12% in G1 vs. 28% in G2). There was no significant difference between the two groups as regards Apgar scores after 1 and 5 min. There was no incidence of maternal or neonatal mortalities in both groups. Conclusion Immediate induction of labour for women with term PROM has relatively better maternal and neonatal outcome compared with delayed induction after 24 h of conservative management.