title: Mid-second-trimester labor induction: concentrated oxytocin compared with prostaglandin E2 vaginal suppositories.
abstract: A concentrated oxytocin infusion and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) vaginal suppositories were compared in a retrospective analysis for indicated abortion in the mid-second trimester (17-24 weeks' gestation). Eighty-one women underwent second-trimester pregnancy termination, 59 by PGE2 suppositories and 22 by concentrated oxytocin infusion. Success was achieved by PGE2 in 93% (55 of 59) and oxytocin in 91% (20 of 22). The mean duration of labor was 13.1 hours with PGE2 and 8.2 hours with oxytocin. The mean dose of PGE2 was 65.2 mg; of oxytocin, 200 units. Women who received PGE2 experienced nausea (46%), vomiting (37%), fever (64%), and diarrhea (20%) despite appropriate premedication. Few side effects occurred in the women who were treated with oxytocin. We conclude that concentrated oxytocin infusion seems to be a reasonable alternative to PGE2 vaginal suppositories for induction of labor in the mid-second trimester.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alabama, Birmingham.
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Winkler
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Hauth
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Owen
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Tucker
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D000328:Adult; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D010570:Pessaries; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D010121:Oxytocin; D015232:Dinoprostone