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Abstract The degree of cervical ripeness correlates with the ease of induction and the duration of labor (Bishop, 1964). A score of at least 6 is considered favorable and more likely to result in a successful labor. Cervical ripening does not only occur as aresult of uterine contractions but also due to an active ripening process within the cervix. Methods to ripen the unfavorable cervix include extraamniotic balloon stretching, Jaminaria, prostaglandin E2 gel and porcine relaxin (Rayburn and Russ, 1986). The ripening process is probably controlled by the same hormones that play a role in triggering uterine contractile activity, in particular prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) (Garfield, 1987). Many double blind investigations have demonstrated the value of PGE2 for cervical ripening and induction oflabor (Rayburn, 1989). Cervical ripening |