Amnihook versus amnicot for amniotomy in labour

In a study of 100 women in established labour we investigated two devices currently used for amniotomy, the Amnihook, a long rigid instrument and the Amnicot, a finger stall with a plastic hook on the end. No overall difference was found in operator ease of use or maternal discomfort. There were significantly fewer babies with long scratches p = 0.02, Odds ratio 0.19 (95% CI 0.05 to 0.68) and the mean scratch length was almost halved in the Amnicot group (p < 0.05, 95% CI for difference between means 0.653 to 6.71). Our findings support the theoretical advantage of a reduction in fetal scalp trauma using a flexible device for amniotomy.