Induction of Labor With Prostaglandin E₂ Vaginal Suppositories

Abstract

A prospective randomized study of 85 parturients was undertaken comparing the safety and efficacy of a 3-mg prostaglandin E₂ vaginal suppository with intravenous oxytocin for the induction of labor. All patients were required to have a Bishop's score of 5 or higher. Labor was successfully induced in 98% of the patients in both groups by their respective methods. Sixty-four percent of the patients receiving a 3-mg prostaglandin E₂ suppository required no intravenous oxytocin. More specifically, 82% (23/28) of the parous patients but only 29% (5/17) of the nulliparous patients who received a single 3-mg prostaglandin E₂ suppository for labor induction did not require oxytocin augmentation (P<.005). The first and second stages of labor were not significantly different for the two groups, and there was no significant difference in the incidence of cesarean section. A 3-mg prostaglandin E₂ vaginal suppository may be a useful alternative to oxytocin for the induction of labor in carefully selected patients.