In the period from January 1, 1992 to December 31, 1996, 578 term pregnancies were terminated by programmed labour at the 2nd Clinic of Gynaecology and Obstetrics in Brno. Labour was induced by extraamniotic application of PGE2 (Prostin Upjohn 3.0 mg vaginal tablets). According to the cervix ripeness, a maximum of 2 doses were given in a two-hour interval, namely 0.5 mg PGE2 in the Bishop score was 8 and 1.0 mg PGE2 if the Bishop score was 5 to 8 points. The results were compared with a random group of 1112 non-risk mothers who where delivered in the period from January 1, to December 31, 1996. The first stage of labour was longer in patients with spontaneous labour. The second stage of labour was longer in the induced patients. The third stage of labour was shorter in induced multiparous patients. In primiparas with elective induction of labour the rate of postpartum pathologies was lower than in spontaneously delivered patients. It follows from the results that the programmed delivery does not increase the perinatal risk for the mother and the foetus. On the contrary, it is a benefit to the mother, to her family and to the staff of the delivery ward.