Randomised controlled trials have concluded that “planned early birth” (through oxytocin administration)
leads to reduced maternal infections, reduced neonatal intensive and special care admissions and greater
maternal satisfaction. Mode of delivery is not compromised by choosing either planned early birth or
expectant management, with equal rates of caesarean section and instrumental delivery in both groups.
Further data are needed to clarify the role of antibiotics among women offered timely induction, and the
potential benefit of prostaglandins in the subset of women with term PROM and an unfavourable cervix.