Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of oral misoprostol as a cervical priming agent for patients presenting with pre-labor rupture of membranes at term.
Methods: Eighty patients presenting with pre-labor rupture of membranes at term were randomized to receive either 200 micrograms of misoprostol or 50 mg of vitamin B6 orally 1 hour after admission. Labor was induced with intravenous oxytocin infusion 12 hours after oral medication if the patient did not go into labor. We compared the induction rate, duration of labor, mode of delivery, and leaking-to-delivery interval in the two groups.
Results: The cervical score was significantly improved and the induction rate was also reduced in the misoprostol group when compared with the control group. The interval from recruitment to onset of labor, duration of labor, and the interval from recruitment to delivery were significantly shorter in the misoprostol group. The mode of delivery and the perinatal outcome were similar for the two groups.
Conclusion: Oral misoprostol is an effective agent for cervical priming and labor induction in patients with pre-labor rupture of membranes at term.