[Experience with conducting programmed labor]

An analysis was made of programmed labours in 128 high-risk females having relative indications for cesarean section. Oxytocin or prostaglandin was used as a uterine-contracting agents. The dosage, rate and duration of drug administration were adjusted by the values of uterine activity and the rate of cervical dilatation. In the latent phase (up to 4-5 cm) the optimal dilatation rate was considered to be 1 cm/h in primiparas, 1.5 cm/h in multiparas; in the active period (over 5 cm), that was 1.5 and 2.0 cm/h, respectively. The optimal labour duration was at least 10-12 hours in primiparas and at least 8 hours in multiparas. One hundred and sixteen (90.6%) females delivered vaginally without any delivery operations. Twelve (9.4%) delivered via cesarean section. All 128 babies were liveborn. It has been concluded that programmed labour is a sparing tool of delivery in high-risk pregnant who have no indications for cesarean section.