Misoprostol use for cervical ripening and induction of labour in a Nigerian teaching hospital.

Induction of labor is always a challenge to many an obstetrician more so when the cervix is unfavorable. To determine the efficacy and safety ofmisoprostol in cervical ripening and labour induction. Aprospective study spanning 2 years and involving 151 patients admitted for cervical ripening and induction of labor at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria. 50 microgram (mcg) ofmisoprostol was inserted vaginally every 4 hours until cervix became favorable or onset of labor. Main indications for induction of labour were prolonged pregnancy and hypertensive diseases of pregnancy. An average of 2 insertions of 50 mcg tablet was used to achieve cervical ripening in 107 patients (71%) and 80% (120) had spontaneous labor within 10 hours of insertion. The mean insertion-labor interval was 7.86 hours (SD +/- 2.5). The average duration of labour was 9.36 hours (SD +/- 2.9). Vaginal delivery was achieved in 96% of the patients. Uterine hyperstimulation occurred in 9 patients but there was no case of uterine rupture. Misoprostol was effective and safe in cervical ripening and induction of labor with a vaginal delivery rate of 96%. It should be an essential drug in obstetric practice especially in low resource settings.