Methods of Induction of Labour at the University Of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri: A 4-Year Review

Abstract

Background: Induction of labour is an important intervention in obstetrics. Misoprostol is increasingly being used for induction of labour in many obstetric units
and it may replace the traditional Foleys catheter/oxytocin protocol.
Method: This was a retrospective study of the 3 methods of induction of labour used at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH). A total of 468 women had induction of labour during the study period. Two hundred and twenty eight of them had induction with 50μg of misoprostol, 57 women had 100μg of misoprostol while
183 women had extra-amniotic Foleys catheter with oxytocin infusion.
Result: Induction of labour constituted 6.6% (468/7086) of all deliveries during the study period. The commonest indication for induction of labour was prolonged pregnancy in 46.8%, followed by pregnancy induced hypertension in 33.5%. There was no difference in the achievement of vaginal delivery between the 3 methods of induction of labour
(x2=1.13, p=0.57). The mean induction delivery time was shortest for those induced with 100μg of misoprostol (6.38+2.25 hours), followed by 8.16+3.58 hours in those
induced with 50ug of misoprostol and 9.73+4.32.43 hours in those induced with Foleys catheter/oxytocin (p<0.001). The babies delivered to women induced with 100μg of
misoprostol were more asphyxiated 12.3% (7/57) compared to 9.2% (21/228) and 6.6% (12/183) in the 50ug misoprostol and Foleys catheter/oxytocin respectively and was statistically significant (x2=23.08, p=0.01). The short induction delivery time in the group
with 100μg of misoprostol was advantageous but there was an associated higher risk of birth asphyxia, stillbirth, uterine hyperstimulation, perineal tear and uterine
rupture. The normal delivery outcome was not significantly different from those induced with 50μg of misoprostol and those induced with Foleys catheter/oxytocin (x2=1.24, p=0.94). Normal delivery rate was significantly higher in those induced with 50μg of
misoprostol compared with those induced with 100μg of misoprostol (x2=14.38, p=0.01)
Conclusion: Misoprostol appears to be safe and may be a suitable alternative for induction of labour by the traditional Foleys catheter/oxytocin protocol. The 50μg dosing of misoprostol is safer than the 100μg.

Keywords: Misoprostol, Foleys catheter, Oxytocin, UMTH.

Nigerian Journal of Medicine Vol. 17 (2) 2008: pp. 139-142