Induction of labor was performed in 20 pregnant females with postmaturity (greater than 294 days) using either oral PGE2 tablets (0.5 mg) or i.v. oxytocin drip (each group n = 10). The induction-establishment interval was significantly shorter in the oxytocin group (P less than 0.005). Moreover, the uterine activity (in Alexandria units) at 3 h post-induction and at the end of the first stage of labor, was significantly higher with i.v. oxytocin (P less than 0.005). However, the induction-delivery interval did not differ in both groups. All cases delivered spontaneously with a satisfactory Apgar score.