"SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF ORAL V/S VAGINALLY ADMINISTERED MISOPROSTOL FOR INDUCTION OF LABOUR IN TERM PREGNANCIESâ€- A RANDOMISED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Induction of labour implies stimulation of contractions before the spontaneous onset of labour, with or without ruptured membranes.[1].According to ACOG 2014[2],the risks and benefits of induction of labour were studied on caesarean section rate and trials showed no significant difference .Recent studies[3]- variation .i.e oral misoprostol for induction has comparatively decreased the incidence of Primary caesarean section for fetal distress. Primary caesarean which is a caesarean section done for the first time in pregnant woman.

Prostaglandins has been found to have a major role in cervical ripening and making it favourable for a vaginal delivery. Among them, Misoprostol [Synthetic PGE1 analogue] is commonly used. It is Stable at room temperature, Relatively inexpensive ,can be given via several routes -oral, vaginal, sublingual ,buccal, rectal. Misoprostol has a potential risk for hyperstimulation, which is defined as occurrence of uterine contraction lasting for >60secs ,OR >4 contractions in a 10 minute period regardless the state of the fetus. Therefore, it is necessary to be administered in titrated doses so that the risk can be reduced .This is the reason for inclusion of oral misoprostol as one of the recommended induction agents in the WHO EXPERT committee-Labour guidelines in 2011.