[Labour induction in women at term with mifepristone and misoprostol].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy of mifepristone (RU486) combined with misoprostol as an induction agent for the initiation of labour in women at term.


METHODS
Our study group contained 68 pregnant women at term (gestational age: 38-41 weeks) who had clear clinical indications for labour induction. They received mifepristone either 150 mg or 200 mg respectively in the first two or three days. The shortening of the cervical length, the change of Bishop score and the change of the blood serum in oestradiol (E2) concentration and progesterone (P) concentration were observed respectively before and after medication. On the fourth day, misoprostol was added from 100 micrograms to 300 micrograms successively. The outcome of labour induction in these women was recorded.


RESULTS
The cervical length of women who were given mifepristone was 1-3 cm shorter and Bishop score was 4-5 higher than those before treatment. The E2 concentration and the P concentration were significantly higher and lower respectively than those before treatment. The cervical ripening ratio was 100.00%. The incidence of the onset of labor was 93.00% and the incidence of vaginally delivery was 80.88% after misoproston was given.


CONCLUSIONS
Mifepristone combined with misoprostol is a safe, efficient, economical and convenient induction agent for initiation of labor in women at term.
Li
L
L
Beijing Tian Tan Hospital, Capital University of Medicine.
Gao
W
W
Chen
S
S
D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; D000021:Abortifacient Agents, Steroidal; D000328:Adult; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007751:Labor, Induced; D015735:Mifepristone; D016595:Misoprostol; D011247:Pregnancy
D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; D000021:Abortifacient Agents, Steroidal; D016595:Misoprostol; D015735:Mifepristone