Programmed versus spontaneous and stimulated labour.

The present study indicates advantages of programmed labour compared with labour which started spontaneously on or before term day. Programmed labour was shorter and the condition of the newborn, assessed according to Apgar and acid-base values of cord-blood, was better than in spontaneous or stimulated labour groups. There was no appreciable difference in the frequency of other complications such as prematurity, hyperbilirubinemia, and neuropathological symptoms, among groups studied.