Labor and normal delivery: induction of labor.

: The continuing search for improvements in the methods of labor induction has seen the development of techniques that are more efficient, more reliable, safer, and more acceptable to the patient. Ultimately, these objectives will be best served by striving to mimic the normal physiology of parturition as closely as possible. Attention must be paid to the control of cervical ripening as well as myometrial contractility. Refinements in the use of oxytocin and prostaglandins continue to produce better results and the dawning of the era of progesterone receptor blockers gives hope of further significant advances.