A Study of Outcome of Induction of Labor: Medical Versus Surgical.

ABSTRACT

The aim of this article is to study the outcome of induction of labor using medical and surgical methods. Two hundred and twelve patients with >28 weeks pregnancy requiring induction of labor were studied for a period of 1 year in the Government Medical College and Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, Punjab. In 25 patients (Group 1), artificial rupture of membranes was done to induce labor, 52 patients were induced with oxytocin, and 83 patients were induced with misoprostol (Group 2). In 52 patients (Group 3), medical and surgical methods were used in combination. The incidence of labor induction came out to be 13.86%. The induction delivery interval was shortest in Group 3 (85.42% delivered within 12 h) compared to 62.72% and 64.60% in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. The lower segment cesarean section rate was least in Group 3 (7.69% vs 12% and 16.30%, respectively). Postpartum hemorrhage and maternal pyrexia were observed more in Group 1 (20% and 8%) than in Group 2 (2.96% and 0.74%) and Group 3 (5.77% and 3.85%). All methods were equally effective in induction of labor in terms of induction delivery interval and mode of delivery.