Misoprostol Labour Induction Study

Labour induction is a frequent obstetric intervention (\~20%). Prostaglandins (PGs) are effective agents, but gastrointestinal (GI) intolerance has limited use to non-oral routes. The traditional oxytocin \"drip\" requires intravenous (IV) use and discourages mobility. Misoprostol, a PG analogue, is marketed for oral treatment of GI disorders, but initiates uterine contraction, an undesirable GI side effect. Recently, there has been a research \"boom\" on vaginal misoprostol use in pregnancy to induce term labour drawing on this \"side effect:\". The principal investigator has led one of three groups worldwide which has published on oral misoprostol to study effectiveness, GI tolerance, and safety for mother/baby in term labour induction. Cost per patient has been less then one percent that of other PGs, even less than IV oxytocin.