Prostaglandin E2 (PgE2) tablets were administered orally for the induction of labour at or near term to 680 patients. Successful vaginal delivery occurred in 81.8% of patients with a mean total dose of 3.7 mg and a mean induction-delivery interval of 7.1 hours. PgE2 was most efficacious in parous patients and in those with high Bishop scores. The most common maternal side-effects were gastro-intestinal in nature and uterine hypertonus was observed in six patients. Foetal heart rate changes occurred in fifty patients.
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