ABSTRACT

To compare the labor characteristics and neonatal outcome of dinoprostone vaginal insert and double balloon catheter in pregnancies with isolated oligohydramnios at term.

All pregnant women with isolated oligohydramnios and immature cervix at term that underwent labor induction with either the dinoprostone vaginal insert or double balloon catheter between 08 September 2016 and 08 September 2017 at a tertiary centre were included in the study. Data regarding the characteristics of parturition, including the period of time from insertion of the ripening agent to vaginal delivery, caesarean section rate, distribution of caesarean indications, need for augmentation, change in haemoglobin, new-born birth weight, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, 5-minute Apgar score and neonatal intensive care unit admission, were extracted from medical records.

The cesarean section rates were 29% versus 48.8% in the dinoprostone and balloon catheter groups, respectively (p = 0.03). The other intrapartum, postpartum characteristics and neonatal outcome were comparable between groups.

Dinoprostone vaginal insert is a more efficient way of cervical ripening compared to the double balloon catheter in patients with isolated oligohydramnios. Both agents are comparable for neonatal outcome.