Safety and efficacy of misoprostol for induction of labour in a semi-urban hospital setting

Abstract

Most studies on the use of misoprostol for induction of labour have been carried out in well-endowed hospitals in developed countries with state-of-the-art monitoring equipment. There is need for more studies to be conducted in facilities with limited resources, if more patients are to benefit from the low cost and effectiveness of the drug. Following Ethical Committee approval, 152 women had labour induced in our maternity unit using intravaginal misoprostol. The patients were monitored clinically using the WHO model partograph with digital palpation of uterine contractions and intermittent auscultation of fetal heart with a pinard stethoscope. One hundred and thirty-five (88.8%) of the women had a vaginal delivery, while nine (5.9%) had a caesarean section for various obstetric indications. Eight cases of uterine hyperstimulation were noted but none of uterine rupture. We conclude that misoprostol can be used safely for induction of labour in less endowed hospital settings such as in developing countries, using basic clinical tools for monitoring.

Determinants of successful labor induction in a teaching hospital in Nigeria: a 10-year review

“…11 Misoprostol has been found to be safe and effective. 22,23 The mean of labor induction interval was less than 12 hours which was also comparable to labor induction interval reported by Owolabi et al 21 The proportion of parturients that had vaginal delivery was comparable to 64.7% documented among nulliparous women who had labor induction in 2008. 24 It was however lower than 85% reported by Ibrahim et al 12 in another center in Nigeria.…”

Determinantes da indução do trabalho de parto bem sucedida em hospital-escola na Nigéria: uma revisão de 10 anos

“…11 O misoprostol foi considerado seguro e eficaz. 22,23 O intervalo médio de indução-entrega foi inferior a 12 horas, o que também foi comparável ao intervalo de indução-entrega relatado por Owolabi et al 21 A proporção de parturientes que tiveram parto vaginal foi comparável aos 64.7% documentados entre as mulheres nulíparas que tiveram indução do trabalho de parto em 2008. 24 No entanto, foi inferior aos 85% relatados por Ibrahim et al 12 noutro centro na Nigéria.…”

Misoprostol For Induction Of Labour: The Hyderabad Experience

“…[9][10][11] Misoprostol has been found safe in induction of labour in resource constrained hospital settings in developing countries like ours, using basic clinical tools for monitoring. [12][13][14] Stress of pregnancy and labour increases as women reach near term. Among cases of this study, more consciousness was also noted after 36 weeks of gestation regarding induction of labour on the expected date.…”