Podcast
Questions and Answers
What additional indications may justify induction of labor (IOL) if membranes rupture before 34 weeks?
Suspected maternal infection, fetal compromise, or growth restriction.
Why is IOL typically recommended between 41 and 42 weeks of gestation?
To reduce the risks of stillbirth, fetal compromise in labor, and mechanical problems at delivery.
What is the most common reason for recommending IOL?
Prolonged pregnancy.
How does induction for prolonged pregnancy affect the rate of cesarean sections?
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What are some absolute contraindications to IOL?
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What scoring system did Bishop develop to assess labor readiness?
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What does a high Bishop score indicate about the cervix?
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Why is breech presentation considered a relative contraindication to IOL?
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What is the primary goal of induction of labour (IOL)?
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What percentage of deliveries in the UK involve induction of labour?
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Identify two indications for induction of labour related to maternal health.
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What complication is associated with prolonged rupture of membranes (PROM)?
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Under what circumstances is induction of labour recommended after PROM at term?
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What is a significant risk of not inducing labour after PROM in a term pregnancy?
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Name one social reason that may justify the induction of labour.
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What should be assessed before performing an induction of labour?
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What is a membrane sweep and what is its purpose in induction of labor?
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What conditions must be met before performing a membrane sweep?
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Describe the administration and rate adjustment process for oxytocin during labor induction.
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What factors influence the dosing of synthetic prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in labor induction?
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What is the purpose of Mifepristone and Misoprostol in labor induction?
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How does the infusion of oxytocin relate to the assessment of labor progress?
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What is the role of the controlled-release pessary in labor induction?
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In what circumstances should induction methods be considered following the failure of other measures?
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What is the likely effect of induced labour on pain levels compared to spontaneous labour?
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What complications can arise as a result of uterine hyperstimulation during induced labour?
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What should be done if contraction frequency exceeds 5 per 10 minutes during oxytocin administration?
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How does the risk of uterine rupture change for women with a previous caesarean section when induced?
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What defines a failure of induction of labour?
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What are the options available if induction of labour fails?
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In what situations would delaying delivery after a failed induction be acceptable?
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What is the relationship between epidural analgesia and rates of instrumental delivery during induced labour?
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Study Notes
Induction of Labour (IOL)
- IOL is the planned initiation of labour before it starts naturally.
- Around 20-25% of births in the UK happen after IOL.
- IOL is performed when the risks of continuing the pregnancy outweigh the risks of ending it for the mother and/or baby.
- IOL should only be done if there is a good chance of success and the risks to the mother and baby are acceptable.
Indications for IOL
- Prolonged pregnancy (usually offered after 41 weeks).
- Premature Rupture of Membranes (PROM).
- Pre-eclampsia and other maternal hypertensive disorders.
- Fetal Growth Restriction (FGR).
- Intrauterine Fetal Death (IUFD) or history of it.
- Diabetes Mellitus (DM).
- Fetal Macrosomia.
- Deteriorating maternal illness.
- Unexplained antepartum haemorrhage (APH).
- Twin pregnancy beyond 38 weeks.
- Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy.
- Maternal isoimmunization against red cell antigens.
- ‘Social’ reasons (e.g. mother is a student and has exams in 2 weeks).
Prelabour Rupture of Membranes (PROM)
- Risk of ascending infection (chorioamnionitis) and related complications increases with time between membrane rupture and delivery.
- IOL is recommended about 24 hours after PROM at term (beyond 37 weeks).
- IOL reduces chorioamnionitis, endometritis, and neonatal unit admissions.
- Evidence is less clear for preterm PROM (PPROM)
- Before 34 weeks, IOL requires additional indications (infection, fetal compromise, growth restriction).
- Between 34 and 37 weeks, individual risk-benefit assessment is necessary.
Prolonged Pregnancy
- The most common reason for IOL.
- Pregnancies beyond 42 weeks have a higher risk of stillbirth, fetal compromise during labor, meconium aspiration, and delivery complications.
- IOL is usually advised between 41 and 42 weeks.
- IOL does not increase the chance of Caesarean section (C/S) and may reduce the need for it.
Contraindications to IOL
- Absolute contraindications: placenta praevia, and severe fetal compromise.
- Relative contraindications: breech presentation, previous C/S (increased risk of uterine rupture), and preterm gestation.
Bishop Score
- Assesses cervical readiness for labor.
- Higher scores ("favorable cervix") are associated with easier, shorter inductions with less likelihood of failure.
- Lower scores ("unfavorable cervix") suggest a longer, more likely to fail induction, potentially leading to C/S.
Methods of IOL
- Membrane Sweep (offered weekly from 40 weeks).
- Prostaglandin gel, tablet, or pessary to ripen the cervix and initiate contractions.
- Artificial Rupture of Membranes (ARM) (only when the cervix is favorable).
- Oxytocin infusion (membranes must be ruptured first, spontaneously or artificially).
- Mifepristone and Misoprostol (for intrauterine fetal death).
- Extra-amniotic saline infusion.
Membrane Sweeping
- A gloved finger is inserted into the cervix and rotated around its rim.
- Strips off the chorionic membrane, releasing prostaglandins.
- Can be uncomfortable.
- Effective if the cervix is starting to dilate and efface.
- Can be performed multiple times.
- Reduces the need for induction.
- Usually performed at term, excluding placenta praevia.
- An adjunct to normal induction process.
Oxytocin and Prostaglandin
-
Oxytocin:
- Short half-life.
- Given intravenously as a diluted solution.
- Variable response with strict administration protocol (increasing dose every 30 minutes until 3-5 contractions within 10 minutes).
- Dosage depends on gestational age, parity, and previous C-sections.
-
Synthetic Prostaglandin:
- Most common: prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)
- Vaginal tablet or gel application to the posterior fornix.
- Often requires two doses, 6 hours apart.
- Controlled-release pessary available for up to 24 hours.
- Mifepristone (antiprogesterone) and Misoprostol (another prostaglandin) can also be used, but complication rates are higher.
- This combination is currently only used in the UK for IOL after intrauterine fetal death.
Complications of IOL
- Increased pain.
- More frequent use of epidural analgesia.
- Higher rates of instrumental delivery with epidural use.
- No evidence of increased C/S rate.
- Long labors augmented with oxytocin increase the risk of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) due to uterine atony.
- Fetal compromise, partly attributed to uterine hyperstimulation from prostaglandins and oxytocin.
More Complications of IOL
-
Uterine hyperstimulation:
-
5 contractions in 10 minutes.
- Treatment: stop oxytocin, possibly administer tocolytic (e.g., terbutaline).
- May lead to fetal bradycardia and emergency C/S if heart rate doesn't recover.
-
-
Cord Prolapse:
- If ARM is performed when the fetal head is high.
- Emergency C/S required.
-
Uterine Rupture:
- Higher risk in women with previous C/S.
- Increased risk with prostaglandin use during IOL.
Failure of IOL
- Defined as:
- ARM not possible after maximum prostaglandin doses.
- Cervix remains uneffaced and <3cm dilated after ARM and 6-8 hours of oxytocin with contractions.
- Options:
- Rest then attempt induction later.
- C/S.
- Delaying delivery is only acceptable if there's no major maternal or fetal risk (e.g., failed social induction).
- Failed induction with pre-eclampsia or FGR usually necessitates C/S.
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Description
This quiz covers the essential aspects of Induction of Labour (IOL), including its purpose, indications, and the circumstances under which it is performed. Understanding IOL is crucial for healthcare providers to ensure the safety of both mother and baby. Explore the various scenarios that may lead to the decision of inducing labor.