Concurrent oxytocin in women needing second dinoprostone

To reduce average induction delivery internal in patients with poor Bishop score without compromising fetomaternal outcome (in terms of birth weight, NICU admission, maternal complications and mode of delivery).

A descriptive study.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) General Hospital, Islamabad, from February to December 2009.

All patients needing 2nd dinoprostone pessary for induction of labour were included in the study. Patients with gestation below 37 weeks, those with intra-uterine growth restriction, bad obstetric history, previous uterine scar and patients in whom Bishop score improved for amniotomy after 1st dinoprostone pessary, were excluded. Data was collected on a special proforma where all variables were defined.

Out of 90 patients, 44 (48.8%) had spontaneous vertex deliveries and 12 (13.3%) had instrumental deliveries so a total vaginal deliveries occurred in 56 (62.2%) patients. Thirty four patients (37.8%) had emergency caesarean sections. Main indication for cesarean was failure to progress in 1st stage of labour followed by fetal distress. There were 3 failed inductions. Only 2 patients had hyperstimulation. NICU admission were 8 and all babies were discharged healthy from nursery with no case of early neonatal death.

Concurrent oxytocin with 2nd dinoprostone in patients with poor Bishop scores (initial scores 2 and 3) resulted in more vaginal birth and comparatively shorter induction delivery time with almost negligible fetomaternal complications.