Cervical ripening with intravaginal prostaglandin E2 gel.

We describe a technique of administering prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in a viscous cellulose gel into the vagina to ripen the unfavourable cervix in patients requiring induction of labour. A total of 168 primigravidae were studied, of whom 102 received 2 mg PGE2 in 2% gel and 66 received 5 mg PGE2 in 4% gel. In the latter group, the state of the cervix was significantly improved in 58 patients (87.9%), while 32 (48.5%) had started labour before planned induction. There were no maternal or fetal side effects or complications.