Induction of labor with intravenous oxytocin or vaginal PGE2 suppositories. A randomized study.

Thirty-eight term pregnant women with a moderately unfavorable cervix (cervical score 4-5 p.) were randomly given intravenous oxytocin (Group A) or 3 mg PGE2 as a vaginal suppository (Group B) for labor induction. Eight out of 19 in Group A and 17 out of 19 in Group B gave birth vaginally within 24 h. The remaining 11 women in Group A had still an unfavorable cervix after 24 h. They were then given 3 mg PGE2 as a vaginal suppository and all but one had given birth vaginally without complications within 24 h. In Group B only 2 were still undelivered after 24 h. Both had a favorable cervix and were delivered vaginally within 12 h after intravenous infusion of oxytocin. The number of instrumental deliveries in Group A was one cesarean section and two vacuum extractions and in Group B three vacuum extractions. One woman in Group B reported nausea and vomiting and in one had strong uterine contractions in the second stage of labor. Otherwise no side effects were registered. All babies were born in good condition with Apgar scores greater than or equal to 7. In conclusion, vaginal application of 3 mg PGE2 as a suppository seems to be more effective than intravenous infusion of oxytocin for labor induction in women with half-ripened cervices, i.e. cervical scores of 4-5 p.