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Use of misoprostol for cervical ripening
V L Katz1, R M Farmer, C A Dean
1Sacred Heart Medical Center, Eugene, Ore, USA.
Southern Medical Journal
|September 27, 2000
Summary
Misoprostol is a safe and effective medication for cervical ripening and labor induction. This study found high rates of vaginal birth and positive infant outcomes when using misoprostol.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Pharmacology
- Reproductive Medicine
Background:
- Misoprostol, a prostaglandin E1 analog, is increasingly utilized for cervical ripening and labor induction.
- This study evaluates clinical experience with misoprostol in an open-label setting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the safety and efficacy of misoprostol for cervical ripening and labor induction.
- To evaluate outcomes including time to delivery, mode of delivery, and Apgar scores.
Main Methods:
- An open-label study over 13 months involving 455 labor inductions.
- 254 patients (56%) received misoprostol for cervical ripening; dinoprostone was used in 144 (32%).
- Misoprostol was discontinued at 3 cm cervical dilation, with labor augmentation by other means.
Main Results:
- Mean time from contractions to delivery was 7 hours 30 minutes with misoprostol.
- Vaginal birth occurred in 85% of cases; spontaneous labor in 38%.
- Hyperstimulation (1.6%) and precipitate labor (3%) were rare. All infants discharged in excellent condition; 23 patients with prior cesarean section delivered vaginally.
Conclusions:
- Misoprostol is a safe and effective agent for cervical ripening in labor induction.
- The study supports the use of misoprostol for improving labor induction outcomes.