Intracervical prostaglandin in postdate pregnancy. A randomized trial

A study was designed to see if incorporating intracervical administration of prostaglandin could affect the outcome of postdate pregnancies. All patients with verified dates, at least 41 6/7 weeks pregnant and enrolled in an antepartum testing schedule were randomized in a double-blind fashion to receive either 0.5 mg of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) suspended in methylcellulose or a placebo of the gel alone. The gel was inserted directly into the cervical canal after the patient had a reactive/negative contraction stress test. The patient was then observed on an external fetal monitor for an hour before going home. A total of 23 patients received PGE2, and 20 received the placebo. Results were analyzed for the following: change in the Bishop score, lag time from dosage to delivery, spontaneous versus induced labor, cesarean section rate, length of labor and neonatal outcome. There were no significant differences between the groups except in the incidence of patients going into labor within 72 hours. The results indicate that, in general, 0.5 mg of intracervical PGE administered at greater than or equal to 41 6/7 weeks without subsequent oxytocin induction of labor did not appear to significantly alter the obstetric outcome.