Oral Misoprostol versus Oxytocin induction for postdate pregnancy: randomized clinical trial study

Background: Postdate pregnancy increases prenatal mortality and maternal problems. The induction is more recommended if allowing pregnancy to continue has high risks. Many researches showed that induction in postdate pregnancy had positive effects in decrease of labor duration, rate of cesarean section and days of hospitalization. The most important factor in successful induction is cervix ripeness. There are many difference methods for ripening cervix and effective delivery such as using Misoprostol. The objective of our study was comparing use of oral Misoprostol against Oxytocin induction for postdate pregnancy termination. Material & Methods: This is a randomized clinical trial study which was performed on 80 hospitalized pregnants in Emam Khomeini hospital, Sari, Iran, 2014. The inclusion criteria included singleton nullipar pregnancy, gestational age of >= 40 weeks, unripe cervix and Bishop Score of <= 5. The patients were divided in 2 groups randomly. Group I included 40 pregnants whose labor was induced with Misoprostol (50 mg, oral, QID, max for 5 doses). Group II included another 40 pregnants who were induced with Oxytocin (2 mU/min, intravenously, max 40 mU/min). Our failure criterion was no delivery promotion a square er 24h of uterotonic agents' administration. Statistical data was analyzed with SPSS-16 Software and Chi square, T-tests. Results: In Misoprostol group the induction-active labor interval and also delivery duration were significantly less than the other group. (P=0.0001) The frequency of cesarean delivery in Oxytocin group was more than group I. (P=0.001) Also the average duration of hospitalization with Oxytocin induction was higher than group I. (P=0.0001) Conclusion: In the induction of postdate pregnancy by Misoprostol is more appropriate in comparison with Oxytocin because of decrease in rate of C/S and also duration of labor.