Open randomized comparison of prostaglandin E2 given by intracervical gel or vagitory for preinduction cervical ripening and induction of labor.

Intracervical application of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in a viscous gel was compared with conventional wax-based PGE2 vagitories (pessaries) for ripening of the cervix prior to induction of labor. A total of 226 healthy pregnant women at term were randomly allocated to receive intracervical gel with an effective dose of 0.5 mg (n = 116) or vagitories containing 2.