Influence of cervical balloon fluid volume on maternal labor process, maternal and infant outcomes, and pregnancy-related anxiety

Abstract

Background: The full implementation of the national two-child policy has presented significant challenges in ensuring the safety of pregnant women.

Aim: To investigate the effect of cervical balloon fluid volume on maternal processes, maternal and infant outcomes, and anxiety during pregnancy.

Methods: A total of 100 singleton term pregnancies with cervical maturity induction and anxiety were selected using a lottery method; 50 women were included. Cervical balloons were used for all participants. In the control group, 80 mL of fluid was injected into both balloons; in the observation group, 80 and 100 mL were injected into the vaginal and cervical balloons, respectively. The two groups were compared for cervical maturity, labor duration, anxiety, maternal and infant outcomes, and effects on cervical ripening.

Results: After treatment, the cervical maturity test (Bishop) score was significantly higher in the observation group (9.76 ± 1.19) than in the control group (7.62 ± 0.83), and the Hamilton Anxiety Scale score was lower in the observation group (7.32 ± 0.85) than in the control group (13.05 ± 1.12). The observation group showed higher rates of natural delivery and lower rates of cesarean section than the control group. The first and total stages of labor were shorter in the observation than in the control group; no significant differences were found in the second and third stages. The incidence of complications was lower in the observation group [1 (2.00%) vs 9 (18.00%) for complications; 49 (98.00%) vs 41 (82.00%) for non-complications].

Conclusion: The selected fluid volumes to promote cervical maturity and induce labor stabilize maternal mood, increase the natural delivery rate, shorten labor, and improve maternal and infant outcomes.

Keywords: Anxiety state; Cervical balloon fluid volume; Cervical ripening; Maternal labor process; Singleton pregnancy.