Comparative Study Of Different Methods Of Labor Induction

Induction of labor remains one of the therapeutic challenges inobstetrics. The success of induction depends on the cervical status atthe start of the induction process (Harrison et al., 1977).Labor induction often is indicated for maternal or fetalpregnancy complications, sometimes before the cervix has becomefavorable. Techniques to ripen the cervix artificially before laborinduction shorten the course of labor and improve the chances of asuccessful vaginal delivery (Goldman and Wigton, 1999).In view of the controversy regarding the best agent which canbe used for cervical ripening and induction of labor, the objective ofthe present study was to compare between oxytocin, prostin E2 vaginaltablet and intra-cervical Foley’s catheter with extra-amnioticcorticosteroid as an agents for cervical ripening and induction of laborin term pregnancy.This study was performed on 90 pregnant women in thedepartment of obstetric and gynecology, Zagazig UniversityHospitals, from August, 1998 to June, 1999.The patients were divided into three groups according to themethod of induction:Group I:Included 30 patients assigned to I.V. oxytocin infusion.Group II:Included 30 patients assigned to vaginal prostin E2 tablet (3mg).Group III:Included 30 patients assigned to inter-cervical Foley’s catheterwith extra-amniotic corticosteroid.