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Objective To investigate whether a series of changes in the current caesarean section operative routine, Design A prospective controlled trial.Setting Labour ward with approximately 3000 deliveries annually in a suburban area of Gothenburg, Sweden.Participants Seventy-two pregnant women scheduled for delivery by caesarean section were randomised to either modified Joel-Cohen technique (n = 36) or Pfannenstiel technique (n = 36).Main outcome measures Blood loss during surgery and operating time. Resultsbased on new knowledge, would be beneficial.The median estimated intra-operative blood loss was 250 mL in the modified Joel-Cohen group and 400 mL in the Pfannenstiel group (P = 0.026). The proportion of women with 2 300 mL was 16/36 in the modified Joel-Cohen group vs 28/36 in the Pfannenstiel group (OR 0.229,95% CI 0.082-0-637). Median operating time was 20 min in the modified Joel-Cohen group compared with 28 min in the Pfannenstiel group (P c 0.001). The proportion of women with 2 25 min was 1/36 in the modified Joel-Cohen group vs 33/36 in the Pfannenstiel group (OR 0.003, 95% CI Conclusions We conclude that the modified Joel-Cohen technique of caesarean delivery reduced intra-0.000-0.026).operative blood loss and operating time compared with the Pfannenstiel technique.

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.

One thousand three hundred eighty-five women with PROM (prelabor rupture of the membranes) participated in a prospective randomized study. Women with PROM were randomized to induction the following morning after PROM (early induction group) or induction two days later (late induction group). If contractions started within 2 hours after admission these women were included in the short latency group. All neonatal infections were classified as verified sepsis (positive culture) or clinical sepsis. The aim of the study was to compare the perinatal infectious outcome between the groups with different expectant managements in women with PROM and to study the association between demographic, intrapartum and postpartum variables and neonatal sepsis. In the short latency group one neonate had a proven sepsis while four neonates with proven sepsis were found in the early induction group. No proven sepsis was detected in the late induction group. Univariate analyses showed a significant association between clinical sepsis and: induction of labor (OR = 2.94, 95% CI 1.30-6.68), established labor 24.1-32 hours after ROM (OR = 5.89, 95% CI 1.68-20.63), established labor > 32 hours after ROM (OR = 4.59, 95% CI 1.52-13.87), time from ROM to delivery > 32 hours (OR = 5.07, 95% CI 1.40-18.39), cesarean section (OR = 11.03, 95% CI 4.10-29.68), chorioamnionitis before or during delivery (OR = 27.14, 95% CI 2.38-309.16), endometritis (OR = 18.08, 95% CI 1.82-179.87), CRP over 20 mg/l in the umbilical cord (OR = 17.12, 95% CI 5.68-52.12) and Apgar score < 7 after 1, 5 or 10 minutes. In a stepwise logistic regression analysis a significant association was found between clinical sepsis and cesarean section (OR = 10.08, 95% CI = 3.26-31.20), time from ROM to delivery > 32 h (OR = 3.74, 95% CI 1.62-8.62), gestational age 34-36 weeks (OR = 3.16, 95% CI 1.11-8.96) and parous women (OR = 2.41, 95% CI 1.04-5.57). In conclusion, this study indicates that that there was no difference in the incidence of neonatal infections between those with early and late induction. Clinical neonatal sepsis was associated with time from PROM to delivery over 32 hours, cesarean section, parous women and gestational age between 34 and 36 weeks.

The false negative rate of a speculum examination for the diagnosis of rupture of the membranes in women without amniotic fluid visible at a speculum examination was 12% when Diamine oxidase was used as the standard for the diagnosis of rupture of the membranes. This study did not show any disadvantages for mothers and infants if the women were sent home after a false negative speculum examination. The value of biochemical methods in the management of women not in labor with rupture of the membranes after thirty-four weeks of gestation could be questioned.

A tub bath did not increase the risk of maternal or neonatal infection after premature rupture of the membranes and prolonged latency.

Summary A methodological study of the influence of local stasis and mechanical pressure on the continuous transcutaneous oxygen tension electrode (tcPO2 electrode) during intrapartum monitoring is presented. No effect of mechanical pressure up to 7.3 kPa (55 mm Hg) on the electrode membrane was found. Reduced blood flow in the capillaries of the tissue beneath the electrode caused by stasis or pressure effect resulted, below a certain threshold value, in tcPO2 decrease. The results emphasize that an attempt to differentiate between a methodologically caused decrease and a decrease due to impaired oxygenation must be made when evaluating the absolute fetal arterial oxygen tension from fetal tcPO2. The consistently observed decrease in relative local perfusion (‘flow’) may be a help in this respect.

Sixteen women delivered by forceps and 20 women delivered by vacuum extraction (VE) owing to secondary uterine inertia were compared with a control group of 11 women who gave birth spontaneously. The cord arterial pH was lower in the VE group than in the forceps and control groups. Base deficit in both arterial and venous cord blood was greater in the VE group than in the forceps group, probably owing to the longer application and extraction times in VE than in .forceps delivery. The incidence of retinal hemorrhage did not differ between the forceps and VE groups. The incidence of cephalhematomata was greater among VE infants than in the forceps and control groups.All infants were examined on the 1st and 5th day by standardized neurological and behavioural examination. There were no significant differences in neurological status between the forceps and VE groups. Thus, in low extraction with no signs of fetal asphyxia, either method can be used with safety if the obstetrician is familiar with both methods of operative vaginal delivery.