Labor Induction with Orally Administrated Misoprostol: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Introduction. One great challenge in obstetric care is labor inductions. Misoprostol has advantages in being cheap and stable at room temperature and available in resource-poor settings. Material and Methods. Retrospective cohort study of 4002 singleton pregnancies with a gestational age ≥34 w at Sodersjukhuset, Stockholm, during 2009-2010 and 2012-2013. Previously used methods of labor induction were compared with misoprostol given as a solution to drink, every second hour. Main outcome is as follows: Cesarean Section (CS) rate, acid-base status in cord blood, Apgar score 1500 ml (PPH). Results. The proportion of CS decreased from 26% to 17% when orally given solution of misoprostol was introduced at the clinic (). No significant difference in the frequency of low Apgar score (), low aPh in cord blood (), or PPH () between the different methods of induction was studied. After adjustment for different risk factor for CS the only method of induction which was associated with CS was (Propess®) (aor = 2.9 (1.6–5.2)). Conclusion. Induction of labor with misoprostol, given as an oral solution to drink every second hour, gives a low rate of CS, without affecting maternal or fetal outcome.

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