Induction of Labor with Titrated Oral Misoprostol Solution versus Oxytocin in Term Pregnancy

Background: The goal of labor induction is to stimulate uterine contractions before the spontaneous onset of labor, resulting in good pregnancy outcomes. Both uterine contractions and cervical ripening are two important factors in successful induction and vaginal delivery. Objective: The Objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and the safety of orally administered misoprostol solution in comparison to that of intravenously infused of oxytocin for labor induction in term pregnant women. Methods: This randomized clinical study was carried out in the emergency unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Zagazig University Maternity Hospitals during the period from February 2018 to January 2019, and this study included 110 patients were randomly assigned into two groups misoprostol group or oxytocin group. The misoprostol group received 25 µg every2hours. The oxytocin group received an infusion of 5IU which was gradually increased the maximum time for drug administration was 24 hours. The time from induction to delivery and induction to active Phases were recorded. Results: showed that both values of mean time from induction to active phase and induction to delivery were significantly shorter in misoprostol group than in oxytocin group (10.4 and 13.2 versus 12.9and15.8) hours respectively. Conclusion: Induction time to vaginal delivery was shorter in misoprostol group when compared with oxytocin group. So, titrated oral misoprostol solution can be used as an alternative to intravenous oxytocin infusion for induction of labor.