International Journal of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Aims: To assess the effectiveness of extra amniotic saline infusion and prostaglandin E2 gel for induction of labour.

Materials and Methods: It is a comparative prospective study carried out in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology at tertiary care center for a period of one year, 120 participant were included in the study and they were divided into two groups. Each group 60 patients were randomly allocated to either Foley’s catheter (group F) or PGE2 gel (group P) method.

Results: The mean Induction to active labour interval in primi with extra amniotic saline infusion was 6.1 hrs. The mean Induction to active labour interval in primi with PGE2 gel was 8.2 hrs. The mean Induction to active labour interval in multiparous with Extra amniotic saline infusion was 4.8hrs. The mean Induction to active labour interval in multiparous is statistically significant when compared in 2 groups. 71.6% of patients in extra amniotic saline infusion group were delivered vaginally compared to only 65% in the PGE2 gel. LSCS was 30% in the PGE2 gel group whereas it was 25% in the extra amniotic saline infusion group which is statistically significant. Incidence of Cesarean section was lower in extra amniotic saline infusion group compared to PGE2 gel group. Failed induction in extra amniotic saline infusion group was only 1.6% compared to 5 % in PGE2 gel group which is statistically significant. Only 8% neonates were admitted in NICU in the extra amniotic saline infusion group compared to 10% admissions in PGE2 gel. The cause for admission was Birth asphyxia, meconium aspiration.

Conclusion: In the extra Amniotic Saline Infusion group, cervical ripening was more successful than in the PGE2 group. In the extra amniotic saline infusion group, induction to the active labour interval (ILI) was shorter relative to the PGE2 gel group.