CERVICAL PRIMING WITH ORAL MISOPROSTOL IN PRE-LABOR RUPTURE OF MEMBRANES AT TERM

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of oral misoprostol as a c ervical priming agent for patients presenting with pre-labor rupture o f membranes at term. Methods: Eighty patients presenting with pre-labo r rupture of membranes at term were randomized to receive either 200 m u g of misoprostol or 50 mg of vitamin B-6 orally 1 hour after admissi on. Labor was induced with intravenous oxytocin infusion 12 hours afte r oral medication if the patient did not go into labor. We compared th e induction rate, duration of labor, mode of delivery, and leaking-to- delivery interval in the two groups. Results: The cervical score was s ignificantly improved and the induction rate was also reduced in the m isoprostol group when compared with the control group. The interval fr om recruitment to onset of labor, duration of labor, and the interval from recruitment to delivery were significantly shorter in the misopro stol group. The mode of delivery and the perinatal outcome were simila r for the two groups. Conclusion: Oral misoprostol is an effective age nt for cervical priming and labor induction in patients with prelabor rupture of membranes at term.