LAUSR

Objective:To determine whether the Bishop-score upon admission effects mode of delivery, maternal or neonatal outcomes of labor induction in multiparous women.Study Design:A retrospective study including 600 multiparous women with a singleton pregnancy, 34 gestational weeks and above who underwent labor induction for maternal, fetal or combined indications. Induction was performed with one of three methods— oxytocin, a slow release vaginal prostaglandin E2 insert (10 mg dinoprostone) or a transcervical double balloon catheter. The women were divided into two groups—Bishop-score <6 and Bishop-score ⩾6. We evaluated labor course, maternal complications (postpartum hemorrhage, manual lysis, uterine revision, perineal tear grade 3–4, need for blood transfusions, relaparotomy, prolonged hospitalization) and neonatal outcomes (Apgar score, cord pH, hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit, prolonged hospitalization).Results:Both groups had a high rate of vaginal deliveries—93.7% and 94.9%, respectively. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of maternal or neonatal outcomes.Conclusion:Labor induction in multiparous women is safe and successful regardless of the initial Bishop-score. In multiparous women the Bishop-score is not a good predictor for the success of labor induction, nor is it a predictor for maternal of neonatal adverse outcomes and complications.