Induction of labor and cervical ripening with oral pge₂ in risk pregnancies

Abstract

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study was undertaken to evaluate the priming effect on the cervix and also the effect on the subsequent induction of labor. 0.5 mg oral PGEj or placebo was given hourly for two 12-h periods. A total of 191 women with risk pregnancies and Bishop score < 5 were studied. The induction of labor was carried out with oxytocin or oral PGE₂ in a randomized manner. Labor was induced in 39% of the women during the PGEj priming. The best result, 71% vaginal deliveries, was achieved with the combination of PGE₂ priming and induction of labor with oxytocin.

Key Words:

• Induction of labor
• oral PGE₂