Inducing labor with oral prostaglandin E2 tablets.

Labor was successfully induced by forewater amniotomy and oral administration of prostaglandin E2 tablets in 91.3% of 153 women with singleton pregnancies. Deliveries occurred within 12 hours for more than 90% of the successfully induced patients. Although not statistically significant, a higher pelvic score appeared to be associated with shorter induction-to-delivery intervals. There were no harmful side effects for either mother or baby; only 14.5% experienced minor side effects, primarily gastrointestinal upsets.