[Current aspects of labor induction]

Induction of labor is one of the most important means for therapeutic intervention in modern obstetrics. The aim of labor induction is to achieve a better perinatal result for mother and baby as compared to expectative management. Different methods for induction include administration of oxytocin or prostaglandins, amniotomy, and mechanical means of cervical dilatation. The success of the labor induction depends primarily on the readiness of the uterus to go into labor, and the method used for induction. If the cervical ripeness is very advanced, induction with amniotomy and oxytocin seems beneficial. However if the cervix is not yet ready, intravaginal or intracervical prostaglandins are more promising. Until recently, prostaglandins E2 are used in the first line. Now, the prostaglandin E1-analogon misoprostol is also increasingly used. As a rule, induction of labor should be performed as an inpatient procedure in order to be able to provide the surveillance for maternal and fetal safety.