Objective The aim of the study was to examine the association between cervical exam at the time of artificial rupture of membranes (AROM) and cord prolapse. Study Design We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the data from the Consortium on Safe Labor. We included women with cephalic presentation and singleton pregnancies at ≥ 23 weeks' gestation who underwent AROM during the course of labor. Multivariable logistic regression was used to calculate the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI), controlling for prespecified covariates. Results Of 57,204 women who underwent AROM, cord prolapse occurred in 113 (0.2%). Compared with dilation 6 to 10 cm + station ≥ 0 at the time of AROM, <6 cm + any station and 6-10 cm + station ≤ -3 were associated with increased risks of cord prolapse (<6 cm + station ≤ -3 [aOR, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.02-5.40]; <6 cm + station -2.5 to -0.5 [aOR, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.23-4.97]; <6 cm + station ≥ 0 [aOR, 3.31; 95% CI, 1.39-8.09]; and 6-10 cm + station ≤ -3 [aOR, 5.47; 95% CI, 1.35-17.48]). Conclusion Cervical dilation < 6 cm with any station and 6 to 10 cm with station ≤ -3 were associated with a higher risk of cord prolapse.
Keywords: artificial rupture of membranes; cervical dilation; cord prolapse; fetal station; risk factors.