Predicting labor induction success by cervical funneling in uncomplicated pregnancies

AIM: Predictive accuracy of cervical funneling for successful vaginal delivery prior to labor induction was compared to that of conventional methods such as Bishop score and cervical length. METHODS: Prospective observational study was conducted on nulliparous women at 38 gestational weeks or more with intact membranes who delivered vaginally following labor induction. Transvaginal ultrasound was performed prior to labor induction to evaluate the cervix, to determine the cervical length and to check for the presence of funneling. Following pelvic examinations, the Bishop score was calculated. Predictive accuracy of the three different methods, namely cervical funneling, cervical length and Bishop, were compared. RESULTS: A total of 235 nulliparous women with intact membranes were recruited. Of these, 194 women (82.6%) had successful vaginal deliveries following induction. Cervical funneling was observed in 105 women (44.7%). The rate of successful vaginal delivery was significantly higher in women with cervical funneling than in those without funneling (90.5% vs 76.2%, P < 0.004). Multivariable analysis showed that cervical funneling, similar to traditional measures such as the Bishop score and cervical length, was an independent predictor of successful vaginal delivery following labor induction (odds ratio = 2.95; 95% confidence interval: 1.38–6.47; P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Similar to the conventional methods of cervical evaluation, such as the Bishop score and cervical length, cervical funneling may serve as a useful and valid predictor of successful vaginal deliveries prior to labor induction.