Chlorhexidine Gluconate vs Povidone-Iodine Vaginal Cleansing Solution Prior to Cesarean Delivery

This is a randomized, comparator controlled, study of intrapartum vaginal preparation with either chlorhexidine gluconate or povidone-iodine solution. Women undergoing non-emergent cesarean delivery will be randomized to receive vaginal cleansing with either 4% chlorhexidine solution or 10% providone-iodine solution.

The study will have two arms that will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio. After inclusion criteria have been satisfied, subjects in the comparator control arm will receive vaginal preparation with 10% provodone-iodine solution prior the skin incision. Subjects in the study arm will receive vaginal preparation with chlorohexidine gluconate 4% solution. The selected skin preparation will be applied according to the manufacture guidelines with a minimum of four completed minutes of drying time before placement of surgical drapes. A block randomization method will be used to control for variations in care. Both groups will receive standard obstetrical care, continuous fetal monitoring, and pre-operative prophylactic antibiotics at least one hour prior to skin incision.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients at Richmond University Medical Center that have a non-emergent cesarean delivery

Exclusion criteria

• Emergent cesarean delivery, less than 18 years of age, chorioamnionitis before randomization, intrapartum fever prior to randomization, or known or suspected allergy to chlorhexidine or iodine.