Evaluation of Oral versus Vaginal Misoprostol for Induction of Labour: A Comparative Study

ABSTRACT

Induction of labor is the artificial initiation of labor before its spontaneous onset for the purpose of delivery of the feteplacental unit using mechanical or pharmacologic methods.The success of labor induction depends on the cervical status at the time of induction. About 20% of pregnant women will have labour induced for variety of reasons. Methods:This was a comparative prospective study on 90 patients at term for induction of labour. The patients were categorized into two groups – Group A and Group B in each group – 25mcg oral / 25mcg vaginal misoprostol was given. Results: The mean age of patients was 27.42±8.6 years in oral group A, 25.52±6.23 years in in the vaginal group B (p=0.48). The mean period of gestation was 38.23±11.24 weeks in the oral group A, 38.87±12.02 weeks in in the vaginal group B (p=0.58). The mean Bishop was 3.43±0.73 in oral group A, and 3.51±0.49 in the vaginal group B (p= 0.37). Conclusion: Induction of labor, oral misoprostol 25mcg is as effective as vaginal misoprostol 25mcg for induction of labour at term with minimal maternal and fetal complications.