Effect of bacterial vaginosis on induced labour in the third trimester of pregnancy: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that pregnant women diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis (BV) may encounter more adverse outcomes during induced labour. Methods The study population consisted of 474 pregnant women who were categorized into two groups based on the findings of a vaginal discharge test: BV group and the nonvaginitis group. The BV group consisted of both the BV group and the BV+ vulvovaginal candidiasis(VVC) group. Based on the Bishop score, labour induction was performed utilizing diverse techniques, such as the insertion of a dinoprostone plug, and amniotomy in conjunction with oxytocin. The statistical analysis of the experimental data was conducted using SPSS software. Results Compared to the nonvaginitis group, the BV group exhibited a higher incidence of caesarean section and a lower incidence of vaginal delivery (24.24% vs. 11.99%; 75.76% vs. 88.01%; P = 0.001). Additionally, the BV group experienced a greater occurrence of adverse maternal and infant outcomes, including increased postpartum bleeding, postpartum haemorrhage, blood transfusion, chorioamnionitis, postpartum urinary retention, puerperal infection, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, neonatal infection, and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (p<0.05). In comparison to the single BV group, the BV + VVC group exhibited elevated levels of postpartum bleeding, postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), blood transfusion, chorioamnionitis, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, neonatal infection (n,%) and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (n,%) (p<0.05). After controlling for age, BMI, Bishop score, history of vaginitis during pregnancy, mode of induction and birth weight, statistically significant differences in adverse maternal and child outcomes between BV and nonvaginitis groups persisted. Conclusion BV during the third trimester of pregnancy has been correlated with a significant increase in the incidence of caesarean section following labour induction in primiparous women, as well as adverse outcomes for both mothers and infants. It is imperative for clinicians to allocate greater attention towards the assessment of BV during the third trimester of pregnancy.