COMPARISON OF PGE2 AND PGF2ALPHA VAGINAL GEL FOR RIPENING THE CERVIX BEFORE INDUCTION OF LABOR

The efficacy of a vaginal gel containing either 5 mg prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) or 25 mg prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) to ripen the unfavourable cervix for labour induction was assessed in a double blind trial. PGF2α, compared with PGE2, had little effect upon the clinical state of the cervix, but the resultant duration of labour in each of the two groups was shorter than in a control group. While the numbers of patients requiring oxytocin stimulation of labour and regional anal‐gesia were reduced in both groups compared with the controls, PGF2α was much less effective than PGE2'. Uterine hypertonus was observed using both prosta‐glandins during an experimental study and the implications are discussed. Copyright © 1979, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved