[Comparison of misoprostol and ricinus oil meal for cervical ripening and labor induction]

Abstract

Objective: To compare the safety and efficacy of intravaginal prostaglandin E1, misoprostol with ricinus oil meal for labor induction.

Methods: Sixty patients with an indication for induction of labor were randomly assigned to two groups (30 cases each) induction with misoprotol, 50 micrograms intra-vaginally every 3 hours until active labor, or with that ricinus oil meal was taken.

Results: The time from start of induction to vaginal delivery was significantly shorter in the misoprostol group (12.2 vs 18.1, P < 0.05), and fewer patients in the misoprostol group required oxytocin augmentation (10.0% vs 40.0%, P < 0.05). The mean change in the Bishop score was significantly higher in those receiving misoprostol (5.5 vs 3.1, P < 0.05). Uterine tachysystole occurred more frequently in patients in the misoprostol group (16.7%) than in the ricinus oil meal group (3.0%). No significant differences were noted in the mode of delivery and patients of successful labor induction.

Conclusions: Vaginally administered misoprostol is an effective agent for the cervical ripening and induction of labor.