Vaginal PH and vaginal misoprostol in induction of labor

Abstract EN

Background: Misoprostol was reported to be an effective agent for cervical ripening and induction of labor.

The aim was to evaluate whether vaginal pH affected the efficacy of misoprostol for induction of labor.

Methods: Vaginal pH of 115 women admitted for induction of labor were measured.

According to the vaginal pH, patients were divided into two groups those with a vaginal pH< 5 (n = 71) and those with a vaginal pH>5 (n=44).

All women received intravaginal misoprostol tablet, 50ug every 4 hours up to three doses.

Further medication was not given after entry into active labor or spontaneous rupture of membranes.

In cases of failed induction or arrest disorders oxytocin augmentation was used.

Results: The average interval from start of induction to vaginal delivery was short and oxytocin augmentation was required less commonly in the lower pH group.

Response of the women to misoprostol was high and it also occurred with minimal dose with low vaginal pH.

There was no any significant differences in cesarean section rates.

Conclusion: Vaginal pH is a factor affecting the action of vaginally administrated misoprostal and may cause an alteration in responsiveness of the patient, number of doses required and in induction to delivery interval.