INDUCTION OF LABOR WITH VAGINAL PROSTAGLANDIN-E2 IN GRAND MULTIPAROUSWOMEN

Objective: To evaluate our experience of induction of labor with vagin al prostaglandin-E-2 in grand multiparous women. Methods: The outcomes of induction of labor with vaginal prostaglandin-E-2 of 101 grand mul tiparous women were compared with the outcomes of spontaneous labor of 202 grand multiparous women. Results: There were no statistical signi ficant differences in the duration of labor, fetal birth weight, use o f oxytocin augmentation, and Apgar scores in the two groups. Nine wome n (9.0%) in the induction group delivered by cesarean section compared to six woman (3.0%) in the control group. This was a statistically si gnificant difference (P = 0.02). In the induction group, the mean dura tion of the hospital I;tay was longer (P = 0.003) and there was one ne onatal fetal death and one ruptured uterus. Conclusion: Induction of l abor with vaginal prostaglandin-E-2 in grand multiparous women is rela tively safe. Further studies are needed to confirm our finding. (C) 19 98 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.