Purpose: to compare the efficacy and safety between two doses of intravaginal misoprostol for cervical ripening and induction of labor. Patients and Methods: sixty-one patients with medical indication for induction of labor and unfavorable cervix were included in this study. Twenty-eight of them received 25 µg and thirty-three 50 µg misoprostol, every four hours until delivery. Results: premature rupture of membranes, prolonged gestation and preeclampsia were the main indications for labor induction. The time interval, in minutes, from insertion of misoprostol until delivery was similar for the 25 µg (416.3 ± 148.1) and 50 µg (425.0 ± 135.9) groups. The percentage of vaginal delivery was 82.2% and 81.9% in the groups of 25µg and 50 µg, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding fetal or maternal complications. Conclusions: the administration of intravaginal misoprostol was shown to be an efficient and safe method for cervical ripening and induction of labor. The dose of 25 µg was similarly effective and safe when compared to 50 µg.
Postterm pregnancy; Labor induction; Preterm membrane rupture
