MIFEPRISTON IN OBSTETRICS - WHY NOT?

Cervical ripening is a critical component of normal parturition. There are substantial variations in labour induction (IOL) techniques around the world. Mifepristone causes the termination of unwanted pregnancies, but there is a lack of consensus on its use for labour induction. The purpose of our study was to compare the combination of Mifepristone and Misoprostol with the combination of a Foley balloon and Misoprostol for labour induction. The study included 175 pregnant women, with gestational age 37-42 weeks. In the study group - 88 pregnant aged 21-35 (28.56±3.23), a combination of Mifepristone-Misoprostol was used. A combination of Foley catheter and Misoprostol was used in the control group - 87 pregnant aged 21-35 (29.48±3.03). The outcomes were assessed. In the study group the rate of vaginal delivery was higher and the frequency of cesarean section was lower compared to the control group (75 vs. 72, and 13 vs. 15, respectively); The total duration of labour was shorter in the study group (p<0,05); There was no difference between groups in the incidences of neonatal morbidity on the first and the fifth minute of life (p>0,05); The pain level was significantly low in the study group compared to the control group (5±0,75 vs. 8±0,96) and no cervical laceration was revealed in the study group. The Mifepristone - Misoprostol combination has advantages over the Foley balloon - Misoprostol combination for induction of labour regarding reduction in pain intensity, duration of labour, and cervical laceration.