COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF MISOPROSTOL AND OXYTOCIN IN INDUCTION OF LABOR

SINHA R.¹, HAWWA H.², PANDEY S.³, PANDEY L.K.^4
1Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi- 221005, UP, India.
²Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi- 221005, UP, India.
³Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi- 221005, UP, India.
⁴Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi- 221005, UP, India.

Received : 15-07-2012     Accepted : 04-07-2013     Published : 06-08-2013
Volume : 1     Issue : 1       Pages : 6 - 9
World Res J Crit Care 1.1 (2013):6-9

<i>Background:</i> To compare the efficacy, safety and acceptability of intravaginal misoprostol with oxytocin as a labour inducing agent. <i>Methodology:</i> The present study is a randomized controlled trial which was carried out in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of S.S. Hospital, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. In the present study 309 women requiring induction of labour were divided randomly into group A who were given intravaginal misoprostol and B who received intravenous oxytocin infusion. <i>Results:</i> The present study showed that the average time interval from induction to the onset of labour and also to the occurrence of vaginal delivery was significantly shorter in the misoprostol group (p<0.001). In evaluating the maternal complications, only fever was significantly more common in the misoprostol group (p<0.01). When used in different settings misoprostol is a better alternative to use in cases of women with hypertension and fetal congenital anomalies providing a favourable vaginal delivery outcome. <i>Conclusion:</i> Misoprostol appears to be an effective agent for cervical ripening and induction of labour, producing a shorter latent phase, a shorter induction to delivery interval, and provides a favourable cervix in a shorter period of time when compared to oxytocin.