Study of effects of mifepristone on full-term pregnancies

Abstract

The induction of labour is required for various indications in obstetrics. Various regimens and drugs are advocated for use in labour induction. Mifepristone is one such drug which has a definite role in first and second-trimester pregnancy terminations. However, its role in the third-trimester is still being reviewed. In the present study, the effect of mifepristone on cervical ripening was assessed and results interpreted.

Impact statement

• What is already known on the subject? The role of mifepristone in termination of pregnancies at term is controversial. Some studies report onset of labour after giving mifepristone whereas others do not report any significant role.

• What do the results of the study add? Mifepristone has a role in improving Bishop score and can be used as a pre-induction cervical ripening agent before using other methods for labour induction. It does not report any adverse effects on the mother or foetus.

• What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Mifepristone needs to be studied more in term pregnancies as induction of labour is increasingly required in today’s scenario for various reasons. However, its role in improving the Bishop score as found in this study helps in decreasing dose of other labour inducing agents.

Keywords:

• General obstetrics
• mifepristone
• bishop score
• vaginal delivery

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.