Comparative Analysis of Oral Misoprostol and Vaginal Misoprostol for Induction of Labour

Abstract

Background: Misoprostol has become an invaluable tool in cervical ripening and induction of labour. Various dosages, routes, and frequencies of administration are underoptimization. Current Study was designed to compare the efficacy and safety of oral versus vaginal misoprostol for induction of labour among pregnant women.

Objective: The research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of vaginal misoprostol vs oral misoprostol in termsof labour induction and maternal and fetal outcomes.

Methods: This cross sectional comparative study was conducted at Avicenna Medical College, Lahore, Pakistan from December 2024 to June 2025. A total of 200 term pregnant women with a Bishop score of ≤5 were randomly assigned to receive 50µg misoprostol in five instances every 4-6 hours. Oxytocin augmentationwas used to receive enough uterine contractions after the dosage limit. The key outcomes were the induction to delivery interval and the rate of vaginal delivery over 24 hours.

Results Primigravida women predominated in both groups with no significant difference between vaginal and oral misoprostol (G1: 62 vs 64; G2: 34 vs 36; G3: 4 vs 0; p=0.74, 0.73, 0.12, respectively). Low Apgar scores were observed in 24/74 (32.4%) neonates in the vaginal group and 14/86 (16.3%) in the oral group, while meconium-stained liquor occurred in 20/78 (25.6%) and 14/86 (16.3%) cases, respectively. Maternal adverse events were minimal, with hyperstimulation noted only in the vaginal group (1 case), whereas nausea and hyperpyrexia were more frequent in the oral group. No neonatal mortality was observed in either group.

Conclusion: Vaginal misoprostol appears ....................