LOW-DOSE VAGINAL MISOPROSTOL FOR INDUCTION OF LABOR WITH A LIVE FETUS

Objective: To test the effectiveness and safety of low-dose vaginal mi soprostol for induction of labor with a live fetus. Methods: Labor was induced in 666 pregnant women with a live fetus in the cephalic posit ion, who had no medical complications and no history of uterine surger y. One-fourth of a 200-mu g tablet of misoprostol (50 mu g) was placed in the posterior vaginal fornix every 12 h for a maximum of four dose s or until active labor commenced. Time from induction to delivery, si de effects and neonatal outcome were evaluated. Results: Labor was suc cessfully induced in all cases. The mean time from induction to delive ry was 10.4 h. The cesarean section rate was 7.8%. There were eight pe rinatal deaths, six of which occurred in low birth weight fetuses. The re was one case of abruptio placenta, which was less than that expecte d in the study population. Conclusion: Vaginal misoprostol, in very lo w doses, was a remarkably efficient and safe method for induction of l abor with a live fetus.