Induction of Labour by Amniotomy and Intravenous Infusions of Oxytocic Drugs – A Comparison Between Prostaglandins and Oxytocin

Summary The effects of intravenous infusions of prostaglandins E 2 or F 2å were compared with the effects of oxytocin infusions in patients who had a low amniotomy after 37 weeks of gestation. Pairs of patients receiving oxytocin and a prostaglandin were matched for age, parity and gestation period. With the technique described low doses of prostaglandins were effective in inducing labour and 78 per cent of patients were delivered within 12 hours. No significant practical advantages of prostaglandins over oxytocin were evident and side‐effects from prostaglandins sometimes necessitated discontinuing the infusion.