Find in Library

Background and Aim :One of the methods of preparing the cervix for induction of labor is use of drugs. Use of prostaglandins and estradiol is one of these methods. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of estradiol and misoprostol on cervical preparation. Materials and Methods: This study included 100 pregnant women with Bishop score of less than four who had referred for normal delivery. The participants assigned to groups of misoprostol suppository and estradiol cream by random method. The women were examined every two hours and cervical Bishop score and labor progress were assessed. If uterine contractions were not suitable after 6 hours, induction with oxytocin was performed by the conventional method. Finally, two groups were compared in relation to Bishop score, onset of uterine contractions, lengths of labor stages, rate of cesarean section, and maternal and fetal complications by use of  SPSS22 software. p<0.05 was considered significant. Results: After two and four hours, Bishop scores were higher in the estradiol group than those in the misoprostol group (P<0.05). Need for oxytocin in the first and second stages of labor was more in the misoprostol group than in the estradiol group (P=0.001). The duration of the first stage in the misoprostol group was higher compared to that in the estradiol group (P=0.004) and there was no statistically significant difference between the lengths of the second and third stages and the type of delivery. (P > 0.05) Conclusion: Estradiol cream can be used to prepare the cervix for childbirth. Use of this method, can reduce the duration of the first stage of labor without any complications for mothers and babies. This method can reduce the rate of cesarean section and result in better health of the mothers and babies.