RIPENING OF THE HUMAN CERVIX AND INDUCTION OF LABOUR WITH PURIFIED PORCINE RELAXIN

In a randomised double-blind trial 10 of 30 patients given 2 mg of intravaginal purified porcine relaxin on the evening before surgical induction of labour went into labour before the proposed induction. Of 30 control patients, none went into labour. Of the 30 patients treated with relaxin, 25 had improved cervical scores after treatment and significantly fewer required augmentation in labour with intravenous oxytocin than the control group. Administration of relaxin was associated with very little increase in uterine activity and no side-effects. The trial shows that exogenous relaxin causes cervical ripening and can initiate parturition. Endogenous relaxin may have a similar role.