Role of Membrane Sweeping on Initiation of Labor and Vaginal Birth in Previous Cesarean Section

Overview

In Pakistan rate of child birth through cesarean section increased from 3.2% in 1992 to 22% in 2018 .Due to increasing rates of cesarean sections and associated morbidity the investigators should focus to reduce rate of primary cesarean section as well as repeat cesarean with cephalic presentation and singleton pregnancy after previous 1 cesarean section. Therefore, all ladies who underwent previous 1 cesarean section for non-recurrent cause should be considered for vaginal birth. Though studies show that membrane sweeping does promote the onset of labor and avoid need for formal induction of labor for prolonged pregnancy but the effects of membrane sweeping in women with a prior cesarean delivery are largely unknown. This is a randomized controlled trial. Objective of the study was to determine the effect of membrane sweeping on the onset of labor, success of vaginal delivery and neonatal outcome in patients with previous one cesarean section.

World Health Organization suggests that ideally cesarean section rate should not be more than 10% to 15%. The investigators should focus to reduce rate of primary cesarean section as well as repeat cesarean with cephalic presentation and singleton pregnancy after previous 1 cesarean section. Therefore, all ladies who underwent previous 1 cesarean section for non-recurrent cause should be considered for vaginal birth. Though studies show that membrane sweeping does promote the onset of labor and avoid need for formal induction of labor for prolonged pregnancy but the effects of membrane sweeping in women with a prior cesarean delivery are largely unknown. It is reported in literature that there is no significant increase risk to maternal or neonatal outcome with membrane sweeping. The rationale of the study was to compare the effect of membrane sweeping with no sweeping in the successful onset of labor in patients with one previous Cesarean Section so that the investigators can reduce the cesarean section rate. Objective of the study was to determine the effect of membrane sweeping on the onset of labor, success of vaginal delivery and neonatal outcome in patients with previous one cesarean section.