Induction of Labour with Oral Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2sb>)

Comparison of oral prostaglandin E2 and intravenous oxytocin for induction of labor in hypertensive pregnancies

Labor was induced with oral prostaglandin (PGE2) without amniotomy in 20 patients (10 nulliparae and 10 multiparae) with hypertension, whether or not associated with edema and/or proteinuria. An average dose of 8 mg was required to achieve effective uterine contractility in both nulliparae and multiparae. Multiparae required only a mean dose of 12 mg but nulliparae a dose of 18 mg to achieve delivery. The mean duration of labor was slightly longer in both nulliparae and multiparae than that achieved with fast escalating doses of i.v. oxytocin. The need for analgesia was greater in oxytocin-induced patients than in the prostaglandin-induced patients. Otherwise no differences were found between the two groups.

The routine use of oral prostaglandin E2 in induction of labour

Oral PGE2 when combined with amniotomy was found to be safe and also an effective agent for induction of labour at term even when intensive monitoring is not possible for all patients as is the case in the University Department in Kandang Kerbau Hosital which has 9000 deliveries per year. It was found to be most useful in patients with a pelvic score of 5 and above and especially in multigravidae. It obviates the discomform and difficulties in maintaining an intravenous infusion.