Role of dexamethazone on cervical ripening and induction of labor in term pregnancy

Saleh Zaher, Tarek Ahmad; Gharib, Mahmoud Ahmed; El Saied, Amal Abdelaziz; Amin, Abdelaziz Ibrahim

doi:10.21608/zumj.2019.17069.1526

Role of dexamethazone on cervical ripening and induction of labor in term pregnancy

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Libya, sirt University, Faculty of Medicine, Obstetric &amp; Gynecology department

² Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine &ndash;Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

³ Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine - Zagazig University

⁴ Lecturer of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine - Zagazig University

10.21608/zumj.2019.17069.1526

Abstract

Background: labor induction between 41 and 42 weeks of gestation reduce the adverse perinatal risks. Aim of work: to determine the effect of intravenous dexamethazone administration on preparing the cervix and duration of labor induction in term pregnancy. Patients and Methods: this randomized Case control study on 52 women who were primparous, with a gestational age (40- 42)weeks and had Bishop Score 4 or less, who were admitted to obstetrics and gynecology department, zagazig university hospital during period from (April 2018 – April 2019) for the termination of their pregnancy. 6 hours before induction, experimental group (26 participants) was given 8mg intravenous dexamethasone while control group (26 participants) was given 2 ml saline intravenously. Six hours after the injection, the Bishop Score of participant was measured, and labor induction done by using oxytocin. Interval between induction initiation and starting of the active labor phase, duration of first and second stage of labor and the neonatal outcome of two groups were compared. Results: Bishop Score statistically differ between the studied groups after 6 hours of dexamethasone injection (5.88±1.18, vs. 5.19±0.85 respectively). The interval between induction initiation and beginning of active labor phase was shorter in the dexamethasone group compared to control group (90±26.3 minutes vs. 112.88±48.87 minutes). Dexamethasone group has shorter duration of first stage and second stage of labor than control group. Conclusions: The administration of dexamethasone can play a role in cervical ripening and progress of labor.

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