Abstract

CASAGRANDI CASANOVA, Davide et al. 25 µg of vaginal misoprostol for cervix ripening and labor induction . Rev Cubana Obstet Ginecol [online]. 2004, vol.30, n.1, pp. 0-0. ISSN 1561-3062.

The PEG1 synthetic prostaglandin, known as misoprostol has been used for cervix ripening and labor induction. In order to evaluate the efficiency and safety of the vaginal administration of 25 µg of misoprostol for labor induction, 198 pregnant women with the following conditions were studied: a) single pregnancy, b) cephalic presentation, c) normal fetal heart rate and d) less than 8 uterine contractions per hour. Doses of 25 µg of vaginal misoprostol were administered every 3 hours up to a total of 4 doses or less if labor was possible before. Oxytocin was used when the frequency of the contractions was under 2 in 10 min, when the progression of dilatation was smaller than 1 cm/h, after the spontaneous rupture of the membranes, or if labor was not started after the last dose of misoprostol. The oxytocin infusion began with 1 mU/min and it was increased every 30 min up to a maximum of 16 mU/min. The uterine activity was systematically monitored so as to detect possible dynamic dystocias. The average number of doses of misoprostol administered was 3,1+ 0,9 doses, and 89 patients (45%) required the fourth dose of misoprostol. In 72,7 % of the patients, contractions began during the first hour. Oxytocin was used in 32.3 % of the patients and in 69.2 % of the cases the cardiotochography showed no alterations. 48 cesarean sections (224.2 %) were performed, the fourth part of them by dynamic dystocia. It was concluded that the dose applied was effective and safe in the induction of labor.

Keywords : Misoprostol; cervix ripening; labor induction.