Sweeping of the membranes versus uterine stimulation by oxytocin in nulliparous women - A randomized controlled trial

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether sweeping of the membranes at term could shorten the length of pregnancy and reduce the incidence of post term pregnancies, We randomly selected 104 nulliparas with uncomplicated pr egnancy and gestational age between 281 and 287 days. Our patients were div ided into three groups, Group A consisted of 34 women who were subjected to sweeping of the membranes. Uterine stimulation with oxytocin was applied i n 35 women (group B), and 35 women (group C) were used as a control group, We had no significant reduction of the time interval from sweeping of the m embranes until delivery (1.9 +/- 1.2 days), compared to that of group B (2. 1 +/- 0.8 days) as well as that of the control group (2.5 +/- 0.9 days). Th e incidence of spontaneous labor in patients after sweeping of the membrane s was greater (67.6%) when compared with oxytocin-stimulated patients and t he control group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, a better Bishop sco re was noted in patients of group A. No statistically significant difference was noted i n the mode of delivery between the groups, but sweeping of the membranes si gnificantly decreased the incidence of postterm pregnancies (p < 0.05). We concluded that sweeping of the membranes is an effective method for initiat ing labor in women with a gestational age between 40 and 41 weeks, thus red ucing the need for induction. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.