Randomized controlled trial of the effect of amniotomy on the duration of spontaneous labor.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of amniotomy on the duration of spontaneous labor.

METHODS: In the present randomized controlled trial, women in spontaneous labor with singleton pregnancies presenting at a tertiary teaching hospital in South India between August 1, 2014, and October 31, 2015, were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to undergo amniotomy or conservative management. The primary outcome was the duration of labor. Per-protocol analyses were performed and the duration of labor was compared between the groups of patients.

RESULTS: There were 144 patients randomized to each group. The median duration of labor was 235 minutes (interquartile range 117-355) in the amniotomy group and 364 minutes (interquartile range 201-580) in the conservative management group (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION: Amniotomy was associated with a shorter duration of labor in comparison with conservative management in patients with singleton pregnancies experiencing spontaneous labor. Clinical Trials Registry-India: (CTRI) (CTRI/2014/12/005264).