Outcomes In Elective Induction Of Labour With μg Intravaginal Misoprostol In Postdate Singleton Live Pregnancy At Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Background: Induction of labour is indicated when the risk associated with expectant management of labour is higher. The most common indication for labour induction is postdate pregnancy and induction for this indication has been shown to reduce perinatal death. Misoprostol is the most commonly used drug for labour induction at the Korle-Bu Teaching, the leading national referral centre in Ghana. 
Method: To assess the outcomes in Elective Induction of Labour using 50 μg of intravaginal misoprostol in postdate singleton live pregnancies at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. This was a prospective cohort study carried out to measure the rates of vaginal deliveries and factors affecting vaginal deliveries during labour induction. One hundred and sixteen pregnant women of at least 41 weeks gestation. Women were included and followed up from the first insertion of misoprostol to delivery.
Results: Eighty-six patients (74.1%) had vaginal delivery and 30 (25.9%) were delivered by caesarean section. Among those who delivered vaginally, 77 (89.5%) delivered within 24 hours. There was a significant association between mode of delivery and Bishop Score (P=0.002). The highest Apgar score at the first minute was 7 in 55 babies (47.4%) and the lowest was 3 in 2 babies (1.7%).
Conclusions: The high rate of vaginal delivery and absence of induction related perinatal mortality confirmed the effectiveness and safety of misoprostol in postdate singleton live pregnancy at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.