Induction of labor and cervical ripening with oral PGE2 in risk pregnancies. A placebo-controlled study

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 PGE2 or placebo was given hourly for two 12-h periods. A total of 191 women with risk pregnancies and Bishop score less than or equal to 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 PGE2 priming. The best result, 71% vaginal deliveries, was achieved with the combination of PGE2 priming and induction of labor with oxytocin.