Comparison of intravenous oxytocin and prostaglandin E2 for accelerating labour.

Abstract

SummaryIn a prospective study of 52 consecutive women who required acceleration of labour intravenous prostaglandin E2 (PGE,) was used as the oxytocic agent. These mothers were matched for age, parity, height, gestational age, initial cervical dilatation, and station and position of the fetal head with 52 women whose labours were accelerated with oxytocin; both drugs were equally effective. Acceleration to delivery intervals, second-stage durations, the number of assisted deliveries, and Apgar scores were similar regardless of the oxytocic used.Although PGE2 compares well with oxytocin, it offers no further advantages and is more expensive and less well tried than oxytocin.

Prostaglandin E2 vaginal gel to treat dystocia in spontaneous labour: a multicentre randomised placebo‐controlled trial

“…Although the increased incidence of uterine hyperstimulation with 2 mg PgE 2 was not associated with an increase in adverse neonatal outcomes, it suggests that the 1‐mg dose is preferable. Previous small studies of PgE 2 for augmentation of labour have shown that intravenous PgE 2 is as effective as oxytocin and reduced the treatment to delivery interval 15,16 . However, intravenous PgE 2 is rarely used in practice because of the unpleasant side effects.…”