Maternal prolactin secretion is phasic during induced term and post-term labor.

Objective: We hypothesized that regimens of labor induction do not alter the biphasic secretion of maternal prolactin (PRL) seen during spontaneous labor.

Methods: Serial blood samples drawn from 12 women before, during, and after induced labor were assayed for PRL and hCG and compared with cervical dilatation and uterine contraction frequency (UCF). Induction methods were cervical ripening with dinoprostone gel (Prepidil) followed by oxytocin infusion (n = 1), amniotomy followed by oxytocin (n = 4), oxytocin followed by amniotomy (n = 3), amniotomy only (n = 2), and oxytocin only (n = 2).