Maternal and fetal outcomes in women undergoing induction of labor with low dose vaginal misoprostol

Abstract

Objective: To determine Maternal and Fetal outcome in women undergoing induction of labour with low dose misoprostol.

Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the efficacy of Misoprostol for induction of labor (IOL) in MTI, Lady Reading Hospital (LRH), Peshawar from 21st January to 31st December 2021. All pregnant women with singleton pregnancy and cephalic presentation admitted for Induction of Labor were included in the study. Maternal and Fetal outcome was noted. Induction of labor was started with 25 micrograms of Misoprostol, repeated every six hours depending on Bishop Score.

Results: Three hundred and thirty-seven women were included in this study. The majority of females (76%) were in 18-35 years age group. In 92.3% of females, the Bishop score was less than six. The maximum number of females (33.5%) delivered after eight hours of IOL. Sixty-six (66.46%) of females had gestational age of 37-40 weeks. Premature rupture of membranes was the most common indication (32.9%). Three doses of misoprostol were required in 31.2% of females. Only 5.6% of females required six doses of misoprostol for induction. With Misoprostol 85.1% of females delivered spontaneously, 2.37% required forceps delivery, 1.7% required vacuum delivery, and 10.68% delivered by Caesarean Section. APGAR score was 8 /10 in 84% of neonates at birth. Eighty-seven %(87.8%) of neonates did not require NICU admission.

Conclusion: Misoprostol is a safe medicine to be used to induce labor in females. It can help shorten the duration of labor, with good fetomaternal outcome.

Keywords: Apgar score; Bishop Score; Eclampsia; Induction of Labor (IOL); Misoprostol.