COMPARISON OF PROSTAGLANDIN-E2 AND INTRAVENOUS OXYTOCIN FOR INDUCTION OF LABOR

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 54  (5) , 581-584
Abstract
Nulliparas [100] at term were randomly given oxytocin i.v. or prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) gel (0.5 mg PGE2) intracervically to study the effect on cervical ripening and the frequency of successful inductions. In the presence of a favorable cervix, both methods seemed equally efficacious in inducing labor. When the cervix was unfavorable, 53% of the patients could be delivered with PGE2 gel, compared with 31% when oxytocin was given. In patients with a highly unfavorable cervix this difference was significant (P < 0.02). In patients not induced into labor, PGE2 gel caused a considerable ripening of the cervis, with a change in Bishop score from 2.9-6.3. In patients undelivered after oxytocin stimulation, no change in Bishop score occurred. This effect of locally applied PGE2 gel on cervical ripening was highly significant (P < 0.001). No adverse maternal or perinatal effects were observed, irrespective of the mode of treatment.