Sweeping Membrane at 40 Weeks Initiation of Normal Labour Induction: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

One hundred twenty women at 40 weeks pregnancy with singleton foetus in cephalic presentation and intact membrane were randomly assigned to receive membrane sweeping or no membrane sweeping. The aim of this study was to determine the benefit of membrane sweeping at initiation of labour induction in conjunction with other methods of labour induction. After sweeping Bishop Score was done and in sweeping group, oxytocin infusion or misoprostol was administered 6 hours later. In control group, oxytocic agent was administered after vaginal examination. Among one hundred twenty women (60 sweep and 60 non-sweep) show that swept women had higher spontaneous vaginal delivery rate (83% compared with 60%). Shorter induction to delivery interval (12 hours compared with 19 hours), fewer that required oxytocin use (15% compared with 50%), shorter duration of oxytocin infusion (2 hours compared with 4 hours). Membrane sweeping at initiation of lab our induction increased the spontaneous vaginal delivery rate, reduced oxytotic drug use, shortened induction to delivery interval.

TAJ 2009; 22(1): 204-206