A randomised trial of two expectant managements of prelabour rupture of the membranes at 34 to 42 weeks.

OBJECTIVE

To compare obstetric and perinatal outcome between two different expectant managements in women with prelabour rupture of the membranes (PROM).

DESIGN

A randomised study.

PARTICIPANTS

One thousand three hundred and eighty-five women with rupture of the membranes at 34 to 42 weeks without contractions.

INTERVENTIONS

Women without contractions 2 h after admission were randomised to early induction the following morning after PROM (early induction group) or induction two days later (late induction group). Women with contractions starting within 2 h after admission were included in the calculations as a short latency group. Digital examinations of the cervix were avoided until onset of active labour. Labour was induced with oxytocin in both groups if no spontaneous contractions occurred or if chorioamnionitis or fetal distress was detected.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The frequency of spontaneous deliveries, operative deliveries, maternal and neonatal infections.

RESULTS

In nulliparous women, a higher rate of spontaneous deliveries was found in the late induction group (89%) compared with the early induction group (81%) (P < 0.05). The ventouse extraction rate was 7% and 14% respectively (P < 0.05). A low (2-4%) caesarean section rate was recorded and did not differ between the groups. Endometritis was detected in six women after delivery. Sixty-one children were treated with antibiotics, and no difference could be detected between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

A higher rate of spontaneous deliveries was found among nulliparous women with prolonged latency as compared with brief latency prior to induction. A protocol of no digital examination before labour was associated with infrequent maternal and fetal morbidity, regardless of latency.