Low dose i.v. infusion of prostaglandin F2 alpha for induction of labor at term.

In 100 pregnant women at term, labor was induced for medical reasons by i.v. infusion of a low dose of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha). With a dose not exceeding 6 micrograms PGF2 alpha/min, all patients were induced into labor. The mean induction-delivery time was 6.6 hours and the overall proportion of instrumental deliveries was 19%, including 6% cesarean sections. Very few side effects were observed. It is concluded that i.v. infusion of prostaglandin F2 alpha in a low dose regimen might be considered as an alternative to existing methods for the induction of labor at term.