Methods of cervical priming.

It is now well recognized that a priming agent without untoward effects on mother or fetus is highly desirable when an indicated induction is required in the face of an unripe cervix. There appears to be a potential role for Laminaria, estrogens, relaxin, and various forms and routes of administration of prostaglandins because efficacy has been reported with all of these methods. With careful selection of patients and judicious fetal monitoring, there are multiple reasonable modes available, although an ideal priming agent has not yet emerged.