RANDOMIZED COMPARISON OF INTRAVAGINAL MISOPROSTOL AND OXYTOCIN FOR LABOR INDUCTION IN TERM PREGNANCY

Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of intravaginal misoprostol versus intravenous oxytocin in women undergoing induction of labor. Methods:We assigned 100 women undergoing indicated induction of labor randomly to misoprostol 50μg intravaginally every 2 hours as needed or intravenous oxytocin. Results:Baseline data including maternal age, height, weitht, gestation, Bishop score were similar. Among 100 patients evaluated, 50 were allocated to the misoprostol group and 50 to the intravenous oxytocin group. The median interval from induction to parturition, from induction to full dilatation and the duration of first stage were significantly shorter in the misoprostol group(P0.01). The durations of the second and third stages of labor were similar. There were significant difference in efficacy when Bishop score4(P0.01), intravaginal misoprostol is better than intravenous oxytocin. There were no differences in maternal secondary outcomes including cesarean section or gastrointestinal side effects. Neonatal outcomes including Apgar scores or birth weight were not different. Conclusion:Labor induction with misoprostol 50μg intravaginally every 2 hours was effective, safe, and resulted in shorter induction to parturition, shorter induction to full dilatation and shorter duration of first stage. Intravaginal misoprostol is significantly more effective when Bishop score4.