A comparison of orally administered misoprostol and membrane sweeping for labour induction in uncomplicated singleton post-term pregnancies

4 SAJOG • January 2013, Vol. 19, No. 1 Post-term pregnancy is fairly common in obstetric practice and is the most common indication for induction of labour.1-4 Recent studies have shown that the risks to the fetus5,6 and to the mother7,8 of continuing pregnancy beyond the estimated date of delivery are greater than originally thought, and induction of labour remains an accepted means of achieving vaginal delivery. In some cases the status of the cervix is unfavourable for labour induction, the success of which depends to a large extent on the consistency, compliance and configuration of the cervix.9 Various methods of cervical ripening, from membrane sweeping (MS) and use of a transcervical Foley catheter to administration of prostaglandins (PG) and prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) analogue, are therefore used.