Clinical and anamnestic characteristics of patients requiring cervical ripening prior to delivery
Khaikin A.A., Semenov Yu.A., Melkozerova O.A.
Background. Contemporary obstetric practice is characterized by a high rate of labor induction, the success of which depends directly on the biological readiness of the cervix. When the cervix is not mature at the time of delivery, the risk of complications, including dysfunctional labor, fetal hypoxia, and emergency cesarean delivery, increases substantially. Investigating clinical and anamnestic characteristics, such as body mass index (BMI), comorbidities, and parity, is essential for developing a personalized approach to the management of pregnant women.
Objective. To identify clinical and anamnestic factors indicating the need for cervical ripening before labor induction.
Materials and methods. A retrospective analysis of 150 medical records of women who delivered at the Ural Research Institute of Maternity and Child Care between January and December 2025 was conducted. Cervical readiness was assessed using the Bishop score, which was also used for group allocation. Group I (n=120) included women requiring labor preinduction with a Bishop score of <8, whereas group II (n=30) included women who had achieved spontaneous cervical maturity with a Bishop score of ≥8. Somatic and gynecological histories and menstrual and reproductive characteristics were analyzed.
Results. Women who underwent labor pre-induction had a significantly higher prevalence of metabolic disorders, including a higher BMI (p=0.0001) and a greater frequency of obesity (p=0.012). Women requiring cervical ripening were also significantly more likely to require insulin therapy for managing impaired carbohydrate metabolism (p=0.0069). In addition, the need for labor preinduction was associated with a history of cervical ectopy and varicose veins in the lower extremities.
Conclusion. Women requiring cervical ripening before labor are significantly more likely to be obese, have diabetes mellitus, and have a history of cervical pathology. Considering these factors may facilitate the timely prediction of the need for medical interventions and the selection of the optimal method of cervical ripening, thereby reducing maternal and perinatal complications.
Authors’ contributions. Khaikin A.A., Semenov Yu.A., Melkozerova O.A. – conception and design of the study; A.A. Khaikin – data collection and processing, drafting of the manuscript; Semenov Yu.A., Melkozerova O.A. – editing of the manuscript.
Conflicts of interest. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. The study was conducted as part of a dissertation research project and has no commercial or other interest of individuals or legal entities.
Funding. There was no funding for this study.
Generative Artificial Intelligence. No artificial intelligence tools were used in the preparation of this manuscript.
Patient Consent for Publication. All patients provided informed consent for the publication of their data (and associated images)
Authors' Data Sharing Statement. The data supporting the findings of this study are available upon request from the corresponding author after approval from the principal investigator.
For citation: Khaikin A.A., Semenov Yu.A., Melkozerova O.A. Clinical and anamnestic
characteristics of patients requiring cervical ripening prior to delivery.
Akusherstvo i Ginekologiya/Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2026; (7): 80-85 (in Russian)
https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2026.55
Keywords
cervical ripening
labor pre-induction
labor induction
Bishop score
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Received 11.02.2026
Accepted 07.07.2026
About the Authors
Artem A. Khaikin, obstetrician-gynecologist, Maternity Unit, Ural Research Institute of Maternity and Child Care, Ministry of Health of Russia, 620028, Russia, Yekaterinburg, Repin str., 1, +7(982)703-99-30, Doter-lod@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7518-7620Yuri A. Semenov, Dr. Med. Sci., Associate Professor, Honored Doctor of the Russian Federation, Rector, Ural State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia, 620028, Russia, Yekaterinburg, Repin str., 3, +7(343)371-87-68, u-sirius@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3268-7981
Oxana A. Melkozerova, Dr. Med. Sci., Professor, Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation Activities, Ural State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia, 620028, Russia, Yekaterinburg, Repin str., 3; Deputy Director for Scientific Work Ural Research Institute of Maternity and Child Care, Ministry of Health of Russia, 620028, Russia, Yekaterinburg, Repin str., 1, +7(343)371-24-27, +7(922)219-45-06, abolmed1@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4090-0578
Corresponding author: Artem A. Khaikin, doter-lod@mail.ru
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