TITLE:
Oral Misoprostol 2 Hourly for Labor Induction
AUTHORS:
Souzan Kafy
KEYWORDS:
Recommended Oral Misoprostol Regimen, Induction of Labor
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.8 No.6,
June
6,
2018
ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of the
2 hourly oral misoprostol for labor induction. Between May and November 2013,
the hospital records of 83 women who were induced for labor and met the eligibility
criteria were retrospectively reviewed. Eligibility criteria were singleton pregnancy of at least 34 weeks’
gestation and a baseline Bishop score 6. Women with a previous cesarean section or other
uterine surgery, severe pregnancy-induced hypertension, and parity of 4 or more
were excluded. Oral misoprostol was administered as 20 μg 2 hourly unless
active labor. A maximum of 12 doses was allowed. The age of the women was 27.9
± 5.3 years (mean ± SD). Vaginal delivery within 24 hours occurred in 38
(45.8%) women. Cesarean delivery occurred in 17 (20.5%) women. Although more
parous women achieved vaginal delivery within 24 hours (52.6%) compared with nulliparous
women (40.0%), the difference was not significant (P = .35).
Uterine tachysystole occurred in 12 (14.5%) women. No perinatal deaths or
neonatal intensive care unit admission occurred in the study group. Evidence
supporting an optimal regimen is lacking, and additional research is warranted
to optimize the use of oral misoprostol for the induction of labor.