Induction of labor by oral prostaglandin E2 in protracted pregnancy

Induction of labor was performed in 20 pregnant females with postmaturity (greater than 294 days) using either oral PGE2 tablets (0.5 mg) or i.v. oxytocin drip (each group n = 10). The induction-establishment interval was significantly shorter in the oxytocin group (P less than 0.005). Moreover, the uterine activity (in Alexandria units) at 3 h post-induction and at the end of the first stage of labor, was significantly higher with i.v. oxytocin (P less than 0.005). However, the induction-delivery interval did not differ in both groups. All cases delivered spontaneously with a satisfactory Apgar score.