A comparison of misoprostol and oxytocin for induction of labor in term pregnancy

Objective To observe the effect of misoprostol for induction of labor. Methods One hundered primiparae with the indication for induction of labor were randomly divided into two groups. Sixty cases were induced with misoprostol (50 μg) intravaginally every 4 hours until uterine contraction occurred. The control group were induced with 0. 5 % oxytocin intravenously. Results The success rate in the study group was 95 % which was higher than that in control (P0. 05). The duration from induction to parturient was significantly shorter in the study group (4. 17 h vs 8. 38 h, P0. 01 ). The duration for active phase in study group was shorter than that in control group (2. 74 h vs 3. 85 h,PO. 05). Conclusion Misoprostol is more effective than oxytocin for Induction of labor, espectially when the Bishop score is less than 5. But clinical application of misoprostol must have the indications. Misoprostol combined with oxytocin rationally may reduce the complications of induction of labor (oversrtong uterine contractions, fetal intrauterine distress).