Objectives: To compare labour induction intervals between vaginal misoprostol and intravenous oxytocin as well as side effects of induction in post term pregnancies with intact membranes.
Methods: One hundred women were retrospectively selected to two groups treated with vaginal misoprostol 50 micrograms every 12 hours as needed to maximum 150 micrograms and treated with intravenous oxytocin. The primary outcome measure was time from induction to vaginal delivery. Statistical analysis was performed by t-Student test.
Results: Maternal age, parity, gestation were similar. There was a statistically important difference in labour induction intervals between the two groups. The mean time +/- SD to vaginal delivery in misoprostol group was 20.6 +/- 15.2 hours compared with 11.23 +/- 7.4 hours with oxytocin (p = 0.0396). Induction of labour failed in 12% and 32% in misoprostol and oxytocin treated group. Pethidine consumption in oxytocin treated group was higher (41 mg vs 89 mg, p = 0.04). Episodes of vomiting were more frequent in misoprostol treated group (22% vs 6%). There were no episodes of uterine hyperstimulation in both groups.
Conclusions: Oxytocin stimulation resulted in a shorter induction to delivery interval. In misoprostol group induction failed in only 12% whereas in oxytocin group in 32%. There were no serious side effects in both groups. In misoprostol treated group patients required less analgetics then in oxytocin treated group.