Planned labor induction versus planned C-section in women with severe preeclampsia at term

A new study aimed to determine whether planned cesarean delivery (C-section) in women at over 37 weeks gestation with severe preeclampsia reduces maternal and/or perinatal morbidity compared to planned labor induction.

This randomized controlled trial was conducted from April 2021 to March 2022 – at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Midnapore Medical College, West Bengal. The study analyzed data on socio-demographic status, clinical presentation, and complications in these women, as well as their management.

Overall, 140 women were included in the study. Labor induction was successful in 58.6% of the participants––with 37 delivering vaginally and 4 requiring instrumental assistance (ventouse or forceps). In the labor induction group, the primary reason for deciding upon a C-section was meconium-stained liquor (MSL) with fetal bradycardia. Meanwhile, fetal distress occurred in 22.9% of the labor induction group but was absent in the C-section group.

Moreover, the results depicted no differences in primary and secondary maternal outcomes between the two groups. However, the primary neonatal outcome was significantly poorer in the labor induction group compared to the C-sectiongroup – suggesting that cesarean delivery is a better option for women with severe preeclampsia at term.

Source: Sahu B, Chaudhuri S, Ghosh D. The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of India. 2024 May 15:1-7.