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Prostaglandin Vaginal Suppositories: A Simple and Safe Approach to the Induction of Labor

From Queen Charlotte's Maternity Hospital, The Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, London University, London, England

Abstract

The results of 1000 consecutive unselected cases of induction of labor for medical or obstetric reasons using prostaglandin E: suppositories are presented. The overall rate of failed induction resulting in a cesarean section in those patients with an unfavorable cervix has fallen from 42 to 2.5%. Only 27% of the entire series required augmentation of labor with intravenous oxytocin, the range being from 9.9% of multigravidas with a favorable cervix to 42.4% of primigravidas with an unfavorable cervix. Both low- and high-risk pregnancies are suitable for induction by this method and trials of vaginal breech delivery and of uterine scars have been safely and successfully carried out. This method has now become routine for the induction of labor at the authors' institution. It has proved to be simple, safe, and highly acceptable to patients and obstetricians alike in all cases in which a simple amniotomy would not suffice.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. Vause and M. Macintosh Evidence based case report: Use of prostaglandins to induce labour in women with a caesarean section scar BMJ, April 17, 1999; 318(7190): 1056 - 1058. [Full Text]