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Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral misoprostol for labor induction in women with term premature rupture of membranes (PROM) and an unfavorable cervix., Methods: We randomized 130 women with PROM of < or =4 h to either oral misoprostol, 50 microg, or a placebo given every 4 h for up to three doses. Intravenous oxytocin was initiated if active labor did not begin within 12 h., Results: Sixty-four women received oral misoprostol and 66 received placebo. The PROM-to-delivery interval was shorter with misoprostol than with placebo (13.7+/-5.8 vs. 20.3+/-6.8 h, respectively, P<0.05). Misoprostol significantly reduced the need for oxytocin (28.1 vs. 72.7%, P<0.001) and antibiotics (25 vs. 69.7%, P<0.001). No significant differences in cesarean section or hyperstimulation rate were noted., Conclusion: Oral misoprostol given to women with unfavorable cervix soon after term PROM significantly reduces the induction-to-delivery time and the need for oxytocin and antibiotics.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of cervical ripening with 2 Foley catheter balloon volumes., Study Design: Pregnant women admitted for induction of labor with a term singleton gestation were randomly assigned for cervical ripening by a balloon inflated with 30 mL or 80 mL of sterile saline., Results: Two hundred and three women were included in the analysis. Ripening of the cervix with the larger balloon volume was associated with a significantly higher rate of post-ripening dilatation of 3 cm or more (76.0% vs 52.4%, P < .001). In primiparous women, the larger balloon volume resulted in a significantly higher rate of deliveries by 24 hours (71.4% vs 49%, P < .05), and a significantly less requirement of augmentation with oxytocin (69.3% vs 90.4%, P < .05)., Conclusion: Ripening of the unfavorable cervix in primiparous women with a Foley catheter balloon inflated with 80 mL provided effective more dilatation, faster labor, and decreased need for oxytocin than with a balloon inflated with 30 mL of sterile saline.