Two groups of healthy women at term, who were not in labor 3 hours after premature
rupture of the membranes, were studied. In one group
labor induction with oral
prostaglandin E2 (
PGE2) was begun 3 hours after
rupture, and in the other group intravenous
oxytocin induction was begun 12 hours after
rupture.
PGE2 was successful in initiating active labor in 88% of women treated. Of the women who were observed for 12 hours, one-half began labor spontaneously during that time. Women in whom labor was induced with
PGE2 given 3 hours after
rupture of the membranes had a shorter interval of
rupture to delivery, a lower
cesarean section rate, and shorter postpartum hospitalization. Although significant
bradycardia did not occur in fetuses of those women given
PGE2, 10% of infants whose mothers were receiving
oxytocin were delivered by
cesarean section for this reason. It is concluded that oral
PGE2 is safe and effective for
induction of labor in women with premature membrane
rupture. The benefits, to both mother and fetus, of a shorter latent period are discussed.