Electric massage chairs reduce labor pain in nulliparous patients: a randomized crossover trial.

Background: Labor pain varies significantly among pregnant women, ranging from mild to extremely distressing. Nonpharmacologic pain relief methods during vaginal birth are increasingly popular, either as a complement to pharmacologic agents or, at times, as the primary method of pain relief. Multiple trials have reported that manual or by-hand massage reduces labor pain.

Two different regimens of outpatient Foley catheter induction of labor in nulliparas: A randomized trial.

Objectives: To evaluate expectant compared to immediate return to hospital upon outpatient Foley catheter expulsion predicated on maternal satisfaction and amniotomy-titrated oxytocin infusion to delivery interval.

Methods: This randomized trial was conducted in a tertiary university hospital in Malaysia from September 2020 to February 2022. A total of 330 nulliparous women at term with unripe cervices (Bishop score ≤5), singleton viable fetus in cephalic presentation, reassuring preinduction fetal heart rate tracing and intact membranes who underwent planned outpatient Foley catheter induction of labor (IOL) were included.

Real-time imaging as visual biofeedback in active second stage of labor among nulliparas: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: A prolonged second stage of labor increases the risk of severe perineal laceration, postpartum hemorrhage, operative delivery, and poor Apgar score. The second stage is longer in nulliparas. Maternal pushing during the second stage of labor is an important contributor to the involuntary expulsive force developed by uterine contraction to deliver the fetus.

Foley catheter and controlled release dinoprostone versus foley catheter labor induction in nulliparas: a randomized trial.

Purpose: To evaluate Foley catheter and controlled release dinoprostone insert compared to foley catheter alone on induction to delivery interval and maternal satisfaction.

Methods: A randomized trial was conducted in a university hospital in Malaysia from December 2018 to May 2019. Term nulliparas with unfavorable cervix (Bishop score ≤ 5) scheduled for labor induction were randomized to Foley catheter and controlled release dinoprostone insert simultaneously or Foley catheter alone.

Outpatient vs inpatient Foley catheter induction of labor in multiparas with unripe cervixes: A randomized trial.

Introduction: Multiparous labor inductions are typically successful, and the process can be rapid, starting from a ripened cervix with a predictable response to amniotomy and oxytocin infusion. Outpatient Foley catheter labor induction in multiparas with unripe cervixes is a feasible option as the mechanical process of ripening is usually without significant uterine contractions and well tolerated. Labor contractions can be initiated by amniotomy and titrated oxytocin infusion in the hospital for well-timed births during working hours as night birth are associated with adverse events.

Induction of labor compared to expectant management in term nulliparas with a latent phase of labor of more than 8 hours: a randomized trial.

Background: Prolonged latent phase of labor is associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Preliminary data indicate that labor induction for prolonged latent phase may reduce cesarean delivery. We performed a study powered to Cesarean delivery to evaluate labor induction compared to expectant management in full term nulliparas hospitalized for persistent contractions but non-progressive to established labor after an overnight stay.

Expression of WT1 and PAX8 in the epithelial tumours of Malaysian women with ovarian cancer.

Background: Ovarian cancer is particularly lethal due to late stage at presentation. The subtypes behave differently with respect to their biology and response to treatment. Two recent markers reported to be useful in assisting in the diagnosis are WT1 and PAX8.

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1, Bishop score, and sonographic cervical length: tolerability and prediction of vaginal birth and vaginal birth within 24 hours following labour induction in nulliparous women.

Objective: To evaluate the tolerability of cervical insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1) and its value as a predictor of successful labour induction, compared with Bishop score and transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) cervical length.

Design: A prospective study.

Setting: A tertiary hospital in Malaysia.

Talcum powder or aqueous gel to aid external cephalic version: a randomised controlled trial.

Background: External cephalic version (ECV) is offered to reduce the number of Caesarean delivery indicated by breech presentation which occurs in 3-4% of term pregnancies. ECV is commonly performed aided by the application of aqueous gel or talcum powder to the maternal abdomen. We sought to compare gel with powder during ECV on achieving successful version and increasing tolerability.

Single dose 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate in preterm labor: a randomized trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of a single 250-mg dose of 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17-OHPC) intramuscularly as adjunct to nifedipine tocolysis in preterm labor.

Method: Women diagnosed with threatened preterm labor between 22 and 35 weeks' gestation scheduled to receive nifedipine tocolysis and prophylactic antenatal corticosteroid were randomized to a single intramuscular injection of 250 mg of 17-OHPC or placebo saline in a double-blind fashion. Nifedipine tocolysis and corticosteroids were administered to all participants.

Effect of membrane sweeping on cervical length by transvaginal ultrasonography and impact of cervical shortening on cesarean delivery.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate cervical length changes after membrane sweeping and the effect of cervical shortening on pregnancy outcomes.

Methods: Low-risk women at 40 weeks' gestation undergoing membrane sweeping to expedite labor were recruited. Participants were scheduled for labor induction at 41 weeks' gestation.

Promethazine compared with metoclopramide for hyperemesis gravidarum: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To compare the effects of promethazine with those of metoclopramide for hyperemesis gravidarum.

Methods: Women at their first hospitalization for hyperemesis gravidarum were approached when intravenous antiemetic therapy was needed. They were randomly assigned to receive 25 mg promethazine or 10 mg metoclopramide every 8 hours for 24 hours in a double-blind study.

Transvaginal sonography of cervical length and Bishop score as predictors of successful induction of term labor: the effect of parity.

Objective: To evaluate the predictive value for successful labor induction of transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) of cervical length according to parity.

Method: TVS of the cervix was performed before term labor induction. Induction was considered successful if vaginal delivery was achieved within 24 hours; 231 women were available for final analysis.

Predictors of newborn admission after labour induction at term: Bishop score, pre-induction ultrasonography and clinical risk factors.

Introduction: Following labour induction at term, 12 percent of neonates can expected to be admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. We aimed to evaluate the Bishop score, pre-induction ultrasonography (US) assessment of amniotic fluid, foetal weight and cervical length, and pre-induction and intrapartum risk factors as predictors of neonatal admission.

Methods: 152 women at term, scheduled for labour induction, consented to participate in this prospective study.

Transvaginal sonographic measurement of cervical length vs. Bishop score in labor induction at term: tolerability and prediction of Cesarean delivery.

Objectives: To compare transvaginal sonography for cervical length measurement and digital examination for Bishop score assessment in women undergoing labor induction at term, to assess their tolerability (in terms of pain) and ability to predict need for Cesarean delivery.

Methods: A prospective study was performed on 249 women admitted for labor induction. Cervical length was measured using transvaginal ultrasound examination.

Ultrasound and clinical predictors for Caesarean delivery after labour induction at term.

Objective: To assess the relationship of ultrasound assessment for amniotic fluid, fetal weight, cervical length, cervical funneling and clinical factors on the risk of Caesarean delivery after labour induction at term.

Methods: On hundred and fifty-two women scheduled for labour induction at term agreed to participate. Sonography was performed to obtain fetal biometry, amniotic fluid index and cervical length and to detect funneling at the internal cervical os.