a comparison between sublingual misoprostol and intravenous oxytocin for inducing labor in women with term pregnancy

objective: in this study efficacy of sub lingual misoprostol was examined in comparison to oxytocin (i.v.) for inducing of labor in term pregnancy. materials and methods: seventy patients were allocated by blocked randomization to groups a (n=35, sub lingual misoprostol 25 μg four hourly to maximum of 5 doses) and b (n=35, continuous oxytocin infusion). results: delivery active phase and total labor phase were shorter with sublingual misoprostol in comparison to intravenous oxytocin (p< 0.001) and the rate of cesarean section was lower in misoprostol group (p<0.04) but delivery latent phase, meconium staining, uterine hypertonisity and apgar score (1&5 minute) were similar in two groups. conclusion: sublingual misoprostol is better than intravenous oxytocin for induction of labor at term.