Induction of Labor with and without Primary AmniotomyA Randomized Study of Prostaglandin E2Tablets and Intravenous Oxytocin

摘要

Comparative studies suggest that prostaglandin E2(PGE2), given orally, is at least as effective as intravenous oxytocin for the induction of labor. The authors here report a large consecutive, randomized study designed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of each treatment, with and without amniotomy.Four hundred and seventy-one consecutive patients admitted for induction were studied. The condition of the uterine cervix was evaluated by the Bishop scoring method. The material was divided into five groups, as shown in Table 1. Primary amniotomy was performed in 227 cases with the head engaged, or nearly engaged, and a ripe cervix. If no contractions were achieved after 4 hours, the patients were randomized; 57 had PGE2tablets, and 46 had oxytocin intravenously.