Control of prostaglandin induced uterine hyperactivity with intravenous ritodrine.

The prostaglandins, F2 alpha and E2, are in extensive local use for the induction of labor. The main concern with oral and vaginal administration is the difficulty in controlling rapidly progressing labor and uterine hyperactivity. Herein we present a case where intravenous ritodrine was given as soon as hyperactivity and fetal heart rate decelerations were detected. With this treatment, the hyperactivity was controlled, fetal heart rate returned to normal and labor progressed normally to the birth of a healthy infant.