Clinical obstetrics and gynecology
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Clin Obstet Gynecol · Sep 2006
ReviewVaginal misoprostol administration for cervical ripening and labor induction.
Intravaginal misoprostol has been shown to be an effective agent for cervical ripening and induction of labor. Vaginal application of misoprostol has been reported in over 9000 women worldwide and seems to have safety profile similar to that of endocervically and intravaginally administered dinoprostone. Concern arises with the use of higher doses of intravaginal misoprostol (50 mcg or more) and the association with uterine contractile abnormalities and for this reason, use of low-dose misoprostol regimen has been recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. ⋯ There are reports of uterine rupture in women with unscarred uteri treated with vaginally applied misoprostol. Therefore, all patients need to be monitored adequately after misoprostol administration. Although there is a growing body of data regarding the ambulatory use of intravaginal misoprostol for cervical ripening, its use for this purpose cannot be recommended outside of investigational protocols at this time because of concerns for maternal and neonatal safety.
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Oxytocin is the most common pharmacologic agent used for the induction and augmentation of labor. Oxytocin protocols can be divided into high-dose and low-dose protocols depending on the initial dose and the amount and rate of sequential increase in dose. Despite the frequency with which oxytocin in used in clinical practice, there is little consensus regarding which protocol is most appropriate. The purpose of this chapter is to review the most current data concerning recommendations for the use of oxytocin in the induction of labor, including cases of intrauterine fetal demise and vaginal birth after cesarean.