Maternal and fetal outcomes of HIV-infected and non-infected pregnant women admitted to two intensive care units in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.

Background: Outcomes of HIV-positive pregnant patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) are controversial.

Objective: To determine maternal and fetal outcomes of HIV-positive patients admitted to ICUs.

Methods: Pregnant patients admitted to ICUs were enrolled in the study.

Misoprostol for cervical ripening at and near term--a comparative study.

Objective: To compare the safety and efficacy of misoprostol with that of dinoprostone for the induction of labour at term, or near term.

Design: Three hundred and ninety-six women with term pregnancies were randomised to receive either oral or vaginal misoprostol, or dinoprostone. Women who had had a previous caesarean section (CS) or those with a malpresentation or who were parity > or = 5, were excluded.