From Dec. 2003 to Feb 2004, 90 women of 6-12 week pregnancy received 100 μg intra vaginal misoprostol 3 hours before intervention at central Hospital of Ggn. and Obst. 96,67% had got success, with the mean cervical dilatation of 8,1± 0,92mm. Side effect manifested in 2,2% of patients
Misoprostol ; pregnancy ; Labor Stage, First

No abstract available.
Amniocentesis* ; Cerclage, Cervical* ; Female ; Labor Stage, First* ; Pregnancy

Emergency cerclage commonly known as that performed in the setting of advanced cervical dilatation with bulging membranes and associated with significantly increased failure rates. We experienced a successful emergency cerclage for advanced incompetent internal os of cervix ( IIOC ). Pregnancy was prolonged and we delivered viable fetus. Hereby we report this case with the brief review of literature.
Cervix Uteri ; Emergencies* ; Female ; Fetus ; Labor Stage, First ; Membranes ; Pregnancy

Cervical incompetence is one of the main contributors to repeated pregnancy loss and preterm delivery. Typically it results in progressive cervical dilatation, leading to a painless second or early third trimester abortion. Emergency cerclage can be used in the setting of advanced cervical incompetence, even when fetal membranes bulge through the dilated cervix. To facilitate the procedure, various techniques have been developed to replace the fetal membranes into the uterine cavity. We performed six successful cases of emergency cerclage combined with amnioreduction in advanced incompetent internal os of cervix (IIOC). Interval from emergency cerclage to delivery was 8.1 +/- 2.4 weeks (range 4-10 weeks) and we delivered viable fetuses in all but one. Hereby we report our experiences with a brief review of literature.
Cervix Uteri ; Emergencies* ; Extraembryonic Membranes ; Female ; Fetus ; Humans ; Labor Stage, First ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the effects of epidural analgesia on labor progress and perinatal outcomes in nulliparous women. METHODS: Between June 2004 and December 2004, we included total one hundred and thirty-two normal near term nulliparous women in early spontaneous labor or rupture of membranes for a prospective analysis. Patients were divided into those who received epidural analgesia (study group n=66) and those who did not (control group n=66). In order to evaluate the effects of epidural analgesia on labor progress, we compared the duration of active phase of labor and second stage of labor, cervical dilatation on admission, Bishop score and labor interval between the groups. We also compared perinatal outcomes between the two groups. RESULTS: The duration of active phase of labor was 4.7+/-2.0 hours in the study group and 3.6+/-1.9 hours in the control group showing a statistically significant prolongation in the duration of active phase of labor and significant slowing in the rate of cervical dilatation (p<0.05). The second stage of labor was also prolonged slightly in the study group (65.1+/-39.0 minutes) compared to the control group (54.1+/-33.5 minutes) but no statistical significance was noted. There was no significant difference in perinatal outcomes. CONCLUSION: Epidural analgesia may prolong active phase of labor. Therefore, we should always consider the effect of epidural analgesia before we decide to perform cesarean section.
Analgesia, Epidural* ; Cesarean Section ; Female ; Humans ; Labor Stage, First ; Membranes ; Pregnancy ; Prospective Studies ; Rupture

Emergency cerclage is the only way to prolong pregnancy for women with advanced cervical dilatation with or without prolapsed membrane. Without cerclage, miscarriage is almost always inevitable. Emergency cerclage should be performed after considering indications, contraindications, benefits and risks. Further researches on advanced operative skill, prognostic factors and postoperative medical treatment will improve the outcome of emergency cerclage.
Abortion, Spontaneous ; Emergencies* ; Female ; Humans ; Labor Stage, First ; Membranes ; Pregnancy ; Risk Assessment ; Uterine Cervical Incompetence

Two patients, bulging fetal membrane accompanied with cervical dilatation & effacement in the late second-trimester, were treated by modified Shirodkar method. Pregnancies were prolonged effectively and viable fetuses were delivered in both cases. Our cases may help make objective decision prior to attempting cerclage placement when cervix is markedly dilated and something should be done to save pregnancy.
Cervix Uteri ; Extraembryonic Membranes* ; Female ; Fetus ; Humans ; Labor Stage, First ; Pregnancy ; Uterine Cervical Incompetence*

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of vaginal misoprostol after a pretreatment with vaginal estradiol to facilitate the hysteroscopic surgery in postmenopausal women. METHODS: In this observational comparative study, 35 control women (group A) did not receive any pharmacological treatment,26 women (group B) received 25 µg of vaginal estradiol daily for 14 days and 400 µg of vaginal misoprostol 12 hours before hysteroscopic surgery, 32 women (group C) received 400 µg of vaginal misoprostol 12 hours before surgery. RESULTS: Demographic data were well balanced and all variables were not significantly different among the three groups. The study showed a significant difference in the preoperative cervical dilatation among the group B (7.09±1.87 mm), the group A (5.82±1.85 mm; B vs. A, P=0.040) and the group C (5.46±2.07 mm; B vs. C, P=0.007). The dilatation was very easy in 73% of women in group B. The pain scoring post surgery was lower in the group B (B vs. A, P=0.001; B vs. C, P=0.077). In a small subgroup of women with suspected cervical stenosis, there were no statistically significant differences among the three groups considered. No complications during and post hysteroscopy were observed. CONCLUSION: In postmenopausal women the pretreatment with oestrogen appears to have a crucial role in allowing the effect of misoprostol on cervical ripening. The combination of vaginal estradiol and vaginal misoprostol presents minor side effects and has proved to be effective in obtaining satisfying cervical dilatation thus significantly reducing discomfort for the patient.
Cervical Ripening* ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Dilatation ; Estradiol* ; Female ; Humans ; Hysteroscopy* ; Labor Stage, First ; Misoprostol* ; Postmenopause ; Pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the effect of a maximal cervical dilatation prior to their primary cesarean birth on the time length of labor in women attempting vaginal birth after cesarean section (VBAC). METHODS: From January 2000 to Jun 2005, a total of 526 patients with VBAC were entered into the study. Patients were classified into 4 groups according to the maximal cervical dilatation on the prior cesarean birth: Group 1 (0~3 cm), Group 2 (4~7 cm), Group 3 (8~9 cm), and Group 4 (10 cm). RESULTS: An analysis of the duration of labor showed that the time length of active phase was significantly shorter in each of Group 3 (147.3+/-103.9 minutes) and 4 (155.2+/-104.2 minutes) than in Group 1 (192.9+/-126.0 minutes) or 2 (195.1+/-148.2 minutes) (p<0.05), although there was no difference with regard to the second stage between each group. These results were also sustained even among the selected 248 patients without prior use of oxytocin, vacuum delivery, or epidural anesthesia that could affect the duration of labor. CONCLUSION: The time length of active phase on VBAC is significantly shorter in women with a prior maximal cervical dilatation of > or =8 cm than those without. Study results indicate that prior cervical dilatation may affect the labor time of subsequent VBAC. The proper understanding of the association between prior cervical dilatation and labor time on a subsequent VBAC may be useful for better management or further intervention in the setting of VABC.
Anesthesia, Epidural ; Female ; Humans ; Labor Stage, First* ; Oxytocin ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Vacuum ; Vaginal Birth after Cesarean*

OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and efficacy of intravaginal misoprostol versus oral dinoprostone for labor induction at term. METHODS: One hundred of patients at term were randomized to receive either 50microgram of misoprostol vaginally every 4 hours or dinoprostone 0.5mg orally every 1 hour for the maximum of six doses. Intravenous infusion of oxytocin was administered under such circumferences as the patient did not go into active labor after maximum dose, SROM was developed without an adequate contraction pattern, or the patient had arrest of dilatation(no change in cervical dilatation for 2 hours). We compared the frequency of oxytocin augmentation, administration to delivery interval, vaginal delivery rate within 12 hours and 24 hours, intrapartum complications, induction failure, mode of delivery, neonatal outcomes, and maternal complications between two groups. RESULTS: The average interval from administration to delivery was shorter in the misoprostol group(739.4+/-372.4min vs 1087.7+/-765.1min, p<0.05), but the interval from administration to vaginal delivery of each group was similar(724.3+/-375.4min vs 800.3+/-697.0min). Regarding the frequency of vaginal delivery within 24 hours, however, misoprostol group was higher than dinoprostone group(88% vs 56%, p<0.001). And oxytocin augmentation of labor occurred less commonly in misoprostol group than in dinoprostone group(20% vs 76%, p<0.05). Any statistically significant difference in intrapartum complications, mode of delivery, and neonatal or maternal adverse outcome was not appeared between these two group. CONCLUSION: Vaginal misoprostol is as effective and safe as oral dinoprostone for cervical ripening and induction of labor at term. In addition, vaginal misoprostol contributes the curtailment of labor induction expenditure due to its moderate price; misoprostol costs 100 won per 50microgram.
Cervical Ripening ; Dinoprostone* ; Female ; Health Expenditures ; Humans ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Labor Stage, First ; Misoprostol* ; Oxytocin ; Pregnancy