[Different labour behaviours following induction, using oxytocin and prostaglandin F2 alpha (Enzaprost) (author's...

The authors studied the characteristics of labour induced by means of prostaglandin (Enzaprost F). The results were compared to spontaneous childbirths and to labour induced by means of oxytocin. Increased basal tension of the uterus and higher amplitude of uterine contractions were recorded from the prostaglandin group. Contractions were also analysed for variations in shape. Deformation in response to oxytocin was found to be almost identical to that following prostaglandin. Atypical contractions were found to occur more often in women in whom labour was induced for risk to the foetus and in primiparae, though the number of third-type contractions was lower in such cases. The point is made that betamimetics may be very helpful in getting to grips with incoordinate uterine activity. They were found to stop irregular uterine activity, and re-induction then will be accompanied by regular rhythmicity of labour.