Labor induction with randomized comparison of oral and intravaginal misoprostol in post date multigravida women

• Published in: The Malaysian journal of medical sciences Vol. 16; no. 1; pp. 34 - 38
• Main Authors: Ayaz, Aqueela, Saeed, Shazia, Farooq, Mian Usman, Ahmad, Iftikhar, Bahoo, Muhammad Luqman Ali, Saeed, Muhammad
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malaysia School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia 01.01.2009
• Subjects: induction; labor; Misoprostal; induction; Misoprostol; medical sciences; labor
• ISSN: 1394-195X

The efficacy and safety of oral versus vaginal misoprostol for elective induction of labor in post date multigravida with an unfavorable cervix was compared over a period of a year in the Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur, Pakistan. Eightyeight ultigravida post date women were divided into two groups and given 50 mcg misoprostol orally and 50 mcg intravaginally, respectively. The induction onset of significant uterine contractions and delivery intervals were lower in the first group (7.8 h vs. 8.9 h) when compared to (10.4 h vs. 12 h). The first group had a higher rate of Caesarean section (7% vs. 4%; p>0.05), uterine hyperstimulation (9% vs. 5%; p>0.05), uterine tachysystole (23% vs. 14%; p>0.05) and neonatal admissions to intensive care unit (12% vs. 4%; p>0.05) when compared to second group. 50 mcg oral misoprostol has the potential to induce labor as safely and effectively as the intravaginal route.