[Comparison of prostaglandin E2 and oxytocin infusions for induction of labor in primiparas at term with an unripe cervix and premature rupture of fetal membranes].

The study aimed at examining the effectiveness of labor induction in term pregnant nulliparas with the premature rupture of the membranes (PRM) and unriped cervix (Bishop less than 6). Each group contained 17 nulliparas. In the first group the labor was induced with the prostaglandin E2 (PgE2) infusion, in the second group the oxytocin infusion was used. The results of both groups were compared. PgE2 was found to be effective in labor induction; the rate of caesarean sections was 18.75% in the first group and 29.41% in the second group. The PgE2 drug was found to be safe for the fetus and also well tolerated by pregnant women. The effect of the drug on the ripening of the cervix has not been noticed. The time interval from the induction of labor to the delivery is equal in both groups. However, in the first group significantly less work was done by the uterus at the same interval. No incidence of uterine hyperactivity was recorded. All newborns in the first group were in good condition: in the second group two cases of fetal distress were recorded. The pregnancy outcome shows that the PgE2 drug is superior to oxytocin for labor induction in term pregnant nulliparas with the PRM and unriped cervix.