Experience with prostaglandin F2α (free acid) for the induction of labour

Labour was induced or augmented in 115 patients by amniotomy followed by intravenously administered prostaglandin F_2α (PGF_2α). The results were compared to those obtained retrospectively from a similar number of patients, matched for age, parity, induced and augmented labour, epidural anaesthesia and induction score; in whom labour had been induced by amniotomy followed by intravenous oxytocin titration. Both regimes were very effective, but there was a higher incidence of side effects in the patients receiving oxytocin. There was one maternal death associated with Prostaglandin infusion. Labour was also induced in a further group of 50 patients by amniotomy followed by oral PGF_2α (free acid). 42 patients (84%) were successfully induced. Vomiting and diarrhoea occurred in 22 patients (45%).