RIPENING OF THE CERVIX WITH EXTRA‐AMNIOTIC PROSTAGLANDIN E₂ IN VISCOUS GEL BEFORE INDUCTION OF LABOUR

Abstract

A metohod of extra-amniotic prostaglandin administration to achieve ripening of the cervix as a preliminary to induction of labour is described. Compared with a control group the method achieved a 25 per cent reduction in the length of the induced labour, a fall in the incidence of maternal pyrexia and fetal distress, an improvement in neonatal condition of the infants and a reduction in the need to resort to Caesarean section.