Ripening of the cervix with extra-amniotic prostaglandin E2 in viscous gel before induction of labour.

A metohod of extra-amniotic prostaglandin administration to achieve ripening of the cervix as a preliminary to induction of labour is described. Compared with a control group the method achieved a 25 per cent reduction in the length of the induced labour, a fall in the incidence of maternal pyrexia and fetal distress, an improvement in neonatal condition of the infants and a reduction in the need to resort to Caesarean section.