TITLE:
Misoprostol: An Effective Agent for Cervical Ripening and Labor Induction: A 2-Year Review in a Tertiary Center
AUTHORS:
Zainab Datti Ahmed, Ibrahim Garba, Taiwo Nafi’ah, Ibrahim Adamu Yakasai
KEYWORDS:
Misoprostol, Cervical Ripening, Outcome, AKTH
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.5 No.5,
May
25,
2015
ABSTRACT: Background: Misoprostol a PGE1analogue has increasingly
been used for cervical ripening in preparation for induction of labour with
variable outcome for both mother and baby. Objectives: To determine the
effectiveness of Misoprostol in cervical ripening and labour outcome in Aminu
Kano Teaching Hospital Kano. Study Design: A study of all patients who had
cervical ripening for induction of labour using Misoprostol at AKTH Kano,
Nigeria, between 1st Jan 2012-31st Dec 2013. Socio-demographic data of these
patients including number of doses inserted before ripening is achieved,
duration, course and outcome of labour were documented. Result: Four hundred
and two women were admitted for cervical ripening. 365 women met the inclusion
criteria out of the 358 folders retrieved, giving a retrieval rate of 98%.
Despite this six folders did not contain enough information for the study and
were excluded leaving us with a sample size of 352. They had a successful
cervical ripening with an average of 2 insertions. Spontaneous onset of labour
without further intervention was observed in 266 women (75.5%). However, 86
women (24.5%) were induced with oxytocin following cervical ripening. The mean
duration of labour among those that had spontaneous onset of labour following
Misoprostol insertion was 9.8 hours. 96% of the patients had vaginal delivery
while 4% had Caesarean section. Conclusion: Misoprostol was associated with
favorable outcome following cervical ripening with a low caesarean section
rate.