Weekly administration of prostaglandin E2 gel compared with expectant management in women with previous cesareans

  • William F. Rayburn
  • , Lisa N. Gittens
  • , Michael J. Lucas
  • , Stanley A. Gall
  • , Maria E. Martin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To compare the clinical effectiveness and safety of outpatient administration of intracervical prostaglandin (PG) E2 gel with expectant treatment for women desiring vaginal births after cesareans. Methods: This was a randomized, multicenter investigation involving term pregnant women who each had one previous low-transverse cesarean and an unfavorable cervix (Bishop score no more than 6), and who was a candidate for vaginal delivery. They were assigned to receive 0.5 mg of PGE2, (Prepidil; Pharmacia-Upjohn, Kalamazoo, MI) intracervically at 39 weeks' gestation, repeated at weekly office visits for up to three doses, or expectant treatment. The main outcome variable was vaginal birth. Results: Of 294 cases, 143 received gel and 151 were treated expectantly. No differences between groups were found for maternal age, race, or Bishop score. Compared with the expectant treatment group, the PGE2 gel group was not more likely to deliver sooner or vaginally (57% versus 55%, P = .68). The onset of labor, duration of labor among those delivering vaginally, and 1- and 5-minute Apgar scores were not different between groups. No uterine ruptures occurred, and adverse effects were equally likely in both groups. Conclusion: Although its safety was confirmed for outpatient use, weekly doses of intracervical PGE2 did not improve the likelihood of vaginal births after cesareans.

Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)250-254
Number of pages5
JournalObstetrics and gynecology
Volume94
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1999

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

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