Oral Misoprostol for Cervical Ripening and Labour Induction: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective To study the efficiency of oral misoprostol for cervical ripening and induction of labour, as compared to the conventional vaginal route of administration.

Main outcome measures Induction-to-regular contraction, induction-to-full dilation and induction to-delivery times. Peripartum maternal data and neonatal outcome were also recorded.

Results No statistically significant difference between the “oral” group (n=65) and the “vaginal" group (n=66) was obtained from all of the main outcome measures and other data records, except for the mean dosage and the number of spontaneous rupture of membranes. Although the induction-to-full dilation time between the two groups were comparable, the oral misoprostol was used with a mean of 2.86 doses, while vaginal route required only 1.69 doses (p=0.03). The difference in the number of cases with spontaneous rupture of membranes (SRM) (p=0.002) was also noted between oral (n=2) and vaginal (n=14) misoprostol. The causes of these differences were extensively discussed in the details.

Conclusion Oral administration of misoprostol (50 microgramme every 4 hours) is simple and very effective for cervical ripening and labour induction at term or near term pregnancy.