Concurrent versus sequential methods for labor induction at term.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy and safety of the concurrent administration of oxytocin and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) for induction of labor at term, prompt delivery, and good maternal and neonatal outcomes. METHODS: In this comparative cohort study of 70 women conducted in Pakistan, 35 were given oxytocin and PGE2 concurrently and 35 were given the drugs sequentially for labor induction. Two-sample t tests and x(2) tests were used for the evaluation of continuous and categorical data, respectively. RESULTS: The mean induction to delivery time was shorter by 2.4 h in the concurrent treatment group (P<0.001), and the proportion of vaginal deliveries was higher in that group. CONCLUSION: The concurrent method of induction of labor resulted in shorter induction to delivery time and a higher proportion of vaginal deliveries.