Prostaglandin E2 Cervical Ripening Without Subsequent Induction of Labor

• Published in: Obstetrics and gynecology (New York. 1953) Vol. 94; no. 1; pp. 11 - 14
• Main Authors: MCKENNA, DAVID S, COSTA, STEPHANIE W, SAMUELS, PHILIP
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 01.07.1999; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Cervical Ripening - drug effects; Delivery. Postpartum. Lactation; Dinoprostone - administration & dosage; Double-Blind Method; Female; Gels; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Labor, Induced; Medical sciences; Obstetrical techniques; Oxytocics - administration & dosage; Pregnancy; Human; Prostaglandin; Induction; Arachidonic acid derivatives; Treatment efficiency; Prostaglandin E2; Uterine cervix; Ripening; Randomization; Vaginal route; Placebo; Double blind study; Female; Delivery; Labor (obstetrics)
• ISSN: 0029-7844; 1873-233X
• DOI: 10.1016/S0029-7844(99)00244-6

OBJECTIVETo determine whether outpatient administration of intracervical prostaglandin (PG) gel decreases the E2 interval to delivery and duration of labor. METHODSA randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial compared the intracervical placement of 0.5 mg PGE2 gel with placebo in 61 pregnant women at 38 weeksʼ or greater gestation with Bishop scores less than 9. Transvaginal cervical length, fetal fibronectin, and Bishop score were assessed before gel placement. Subjects were then allowed to go into spontaneous labor unless an indication for induction developed. RESULTSThirty women were assigned to PGE2 and 31 to placebo. There were no significant demographic differences between the groups and there were no differences in cervical length, fetal fibronectin status, or Bishop scores. Fifteen women in the PGE2 group and five in the placebo group went into labor and delivered within the first 2 days after gel placement (P = .007). The median interval to delivery was significantly shorter in the PGE2 group, at 2.5 days, compared with placebo, at 7 days (P = .02). Nulliparas in the PGE2 group had a median interval to delivery of 2 days, compared with 7 days for nulliparas receiving placebo (P = .03). Active phases of labor were significantly shorter in the PGE2 group and for women with a negative fetal fibronectin test who received PGE2. CONCLUSIONOutpatient administration of intracervical gel shortened intervals to delivery and shortened PGE2 labor.