How effective is amniotomy as a means of induction of labour?

BACKGROUND

Amniotomy or artificial rupture of membranes is routinely used for induction of labour.

AIMS

To assess the efficacy of amniotomy alone for induction.

METHODS

A retrospective descriptive study of 3,586 cases of amniotomy for induction of labour between July 1996 and December 1999.

RESULTS

In total, 26,670 women delivered in the National Maternity Hospital during the study period. Of these 4,928 women required induction of labour and 72.8% of these (n = 3,586) underwent amniotomy only for induction of labour. Spontaneous labour occurred in 90.1% of the women who underwent amniotomy within 24 h. Oxytocin as an induction agent was employed in 9.8% of cases. Overall, 80.5% of the women had a spontaneous delivery, 7.3% had a ventouse delivery, 4.3% had a forceps delivery, and 7.9% underwent a caesarean section. In total, 90.5% of multips and 63.4% of primips had a spontaneous vaginal delivery.

CONCLUSIONS

Amniotomy is a simple, safe and effective method of induction of labour.