INDUCTION OF LABOR WITH PROSTAGLANDIN-E2 VAGINAL SUPPOSITORIES

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 63  (5) , 664-668
Abstract
A prospective randomized study of 85 parturients was undertaken comparing the safety and efficacy of a 3-mg prostaglandin [PG]E2 vaginal suppository with i.v. oxytocin for the induction of labor. All patients were required to have a Bishop''s score of .gtoreq. 5. Labor was successfully induced in 98% of the patients in both groups by their respective methods. Patients (64%) receiving a 3-mg PGE2 suppository required no i.v. oxytocin. More specifically, 82% (23/28) of the parous patients but only 29% (5/17) of the nulliparous patients who received a single 3-mg PGE2 suppository for labor induction did not require oxytocin augmentation (P < 0.005). The 1st and 2nd stages of labor were not significantly different in the 2 groups and there was no significant difference in the incidence of cesarean section. A 3-mg PGE2 vaginal suppository may be a useful alternative to oxytocin for the induction of labor in carefully selected patients.