Comparative study of 25 mg oral and 25 mg vaginal misoprostol administration for induction of labour at term

Abstract

A successful induction of labour includes adequate uterine contraction after the addition of the inducing agent, and progressive dilatation of the cervix, thereby resulting in the successful vaginal delivery. Misoprostol has been found to be more superior than other conventional methods and resulting in shorter induction to delivery time. 100 patients with 36 or more gestation period, requiring induction, were divided into 2 groups of 50 each. Group I were given 25 µg misoprostol orally and Group II were given vaginally. Dosage was repeated every 4 hourly and monitored. The major indications of labour were severe pre- eclampsia, post dated pregnancy, mild pre-eclampsia, and PROM. Majority of the women who had undergone induction of labour were primigravida. 90% of patients in the vaginal group delivered vaginally as compared to 80% of the patients in the oral group. Caesarian section was planned in the cases of fetal distress, failure to progress or failed induction of labour. : Women who received vaginal misoprostol experiences shorter induction delivery times, required fewer doses of misoprostol amd required oxytocin augmentation less frequently than those who received oral misoprostol.