Randomized trial of preinduction cervical ripening: misoprostol vs oxytocin.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the vaginal delivery rate in women who undergo labor induction with preinduction misoprostol or oxytocin alone.

Study Design: Women with singleton pregnancies and Bishop scores <5 with labor induction at > or = 24 weeks of gestation were eligible; they were assigned randomly to oxytocin alone or preinduction cervical ripening with misoprostol. Labor characteristics, maternal complications, and neonatal outcomes were analyzed.