Vaginal dinoprostone and misoprostol are equally safe in labour induction at term whereas dinoprostone is less efficacious for cervical ripening and shortening the time of labour

Objectives: The aims of the study is to analyze the effectiveness and safety of the use of intravaginal inserts with prostaglandin analogues: dinoprostone and misoprostol, in the labor induction. Material and methods: Pregnant women (177), with use of dinoprostone (n = 69) or misoprostol (n = 108) for labor induction were analyzed. Results: The length of time of delivery differed significantly between primiparous and multiparous women and depended on the type of prostaglandin. The incidence of cesarean sections did not differ significantly in analysed groups. The risk of failed induction was over two-fold higher in the dinoprostone group as compared to misoprostol. A statistically significant longer duration of the first and second stage of labor was observed in primiparous compared to multiparous women as well as differences of cervical ripening were observed. There was no statistically significant relationship between the occurrence of hyperstimulation and worsening the newborns condition determined after delivery. Conclusions: Vaginal dinoprostone and misoprostol are equally safe in labor induction at term whereas dinoprostone is less efficacious for cervical ripening and shortening the time of labor. There was no advantage of any of the prostaglandins used in increasing the risk of having a child in a worse condition and increasing the percentage of caesarean sections.