Pre-term cervical ripening and labor induction.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate retrospectively pre-term induction; with Prostaglandin (PG) E(2)-gel and i.v. oxtytocin, respectively.


METHODS
Fifty pre-term women with a gestational age between 28 + 0 and 36 + 6 and medical indications for labor induction were compared with the two next induced at term and post-term. The obstetric end points were numbers of PGE(2)-gel applications, failed inductions, instrumental delivery and heavy bleeding after partus (>1000 ml). The neonatal outcome was registered as operative delivery for fetal distress (ODFD) or Apgar score <7 at 5'.


RESULTS
The number of PGE(2)-gel applications did not differ. The duration of labor was shorter in the pre-term group (P = 0.043). A five-fold higher risk of heavy postpartum bleeding (>1000 ml) was noticed in the post-term group compared to the pre-term. The incidence of low Apgar scores were similar in the three groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Safe vaginal labor induction and delivery can be anticipated pre-term with PGE(2)-gel.
Department of Women and Child Health, Division for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Karolinska Hospital, S-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden. susanne.abelin@kbh.ki.se
Susanne
S
Abelin Törnblom
Eva
E
Ostlund
Lena
L
Granström
Gunvor
G
Ekman
D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000328:Adult; D020070:Cervical Ripening; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000187:drug effects; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000379:methods; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000628:therapy; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000628:therapy; D005782:Gels; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007751:Labor, Induced; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006473:Postpartum Hemorrhage / Q000453:epidemiology; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000628:therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D005782:Gels; D010121:Oxytocin; D015232:Dinoprostone