Open AccessInduction of labor with intravenous oxytocin or vaginal PGE 2 suppositories: A randomized study
Author(s) -
Ekman Gunvor,
Granström Lena,
Ulmsten Ulf
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.3109/00016348609157038
Subject(s) - medicine , oxytocin , cervix , suppository , bishop score , group b , nausea , apgar score , vomiting , intravaginal administration , labor induction , anesthesia , obstetrics , gynecology , vagina , pregnancy , gestational age , surgery , cancer , biology , pharmacology , genetics
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 PGE 2 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 PGE 2 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 ≥ 7. In conclusion, vaginal application of 3 mg PGE 2 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.