A Comparison of Vaginal vs. Oral Misoprostol for Induction of Labor-Double Blind Randomized Trial.

Objective: To compare efficacy and safety of 50 μgm misoprostol vaginal with oral for labor induction.

Methods: 110 women at term gestation, Bishop score ≤4, with various indications for labor induction were randomized and double blinded. After decoding 51 women had received misoprostol orally and 52 vaginally, four hourly (maximum six doses) or till woman went into active labor.

Results: Statistical analysis was done with SPSS 11.0. In vaginal misoprostol group induction delivery interval was significantly less (9.79 vs. 16.47 h) and successful induction was significantly higher (90.38 vs. 74.51%) than oral group, with in 24 h of induction. As for as dose required is concerned in vaginal group 40.38% women needed two doses for delivery, in contrast 35.29% in oral group maximum six doses were required.

Conclusion: Vaginal route of misoprostol is more effective labor inducing agent than oral.