Intracervical application of prostaglandin E2 tablets for elective induction of labor in grand multiparae: a...

In a prospective and controlled study labor was induced electively in 150 grand multiparae (GM) between 38 and 42 wk gestation by intracervical application of PGE2 tablets (induction group). Another 150 GM who went into labor spontaneously served as controls for comparison of labor characteristics and outcome (control group). In the induction group labor was successfully induced in 147 GM (98.0%), of whom 142 (96.5%) delivered vaginally. The mean duration of the active phase of labor was 2.1 +/- 0.79 h in GM who delivered on the first day of induction and 2.8 +/- 0.47 h in women who delivered on the second day, as compared to 4.7 +/- 2.2 h in the controls. Similarly, the mean duration of the second and third stage was longer in the controls. Operative deliveries were 2--3-times more frequent among controls, as were complications in the second and third stages. The group profiles of the I.U.P. charts indicating rise time, fall time, amplitude and Montevideo units at different stages of cervical dilatation showed significant differences at 4-5 cm dilatation only between the two groups of women. It is concluded that elective induction in GM between 38 and 42 wk is safe for mother and fetus.