M. Eriksson et al., WARM TUB BATH DURING LABOR - A STUDY OF 1385 WOMEN WITH PRELABOR RUPTURE OF THE MEMBRANES AFTER 34 WEEKS OF GESTATION, Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica, 75(7), 1996, pp. 642-644
Background. To evaluate the influence of a bath on infectious morbidit
y in mothers and neonates in women with prelabor rupture of the membra
nes after 34 weeks of gestation. Methods. A nonrandomized study of 138
5 healthy women. During the first stage of labor 538 women wanted a ba
th while 847 did not. The women awaited spontaneous contractions up to
24 or 72 hours after the membranes had ruptured before labor was indu
ced with oxytocin. Digital examinations of the cervix were avoided unt
il onset of active labor or until the time induction was planned. For
statistical analysis Fisher's exact test was used. Results. Chorioamni
onitis during labor occured in 1.1% of the women in the bath group and
in 0.2% in the reference group (p=0.06). Postpartum endometritis was
found in three cases both in the bath group (p=0.6%) and in the refere
nce group (0.4%) (p=0.68). The frequency of neonates receiving antibio
tics was 3.7% and 4.8% respectively (p=0.43). Conclusion. A rub bath d
id not increase the risk of maternal or neonatal infection after prema
ture rupture of the membranes and prolonged latency.