Induction of labour

If the cervix is unripe, induction of labour can lead to complications. The Cochrane review in this section suggests that low-dose vaginal misoprostol may be effective for ripening the cervix, although the reviewed studies were not large enough to exclude the possibility of rare but serious adverse events. (For information on induction of labour for improving birth outcomes for women at or beyond term, see under "Prolonged pregnancy" under "Pregnancy complications".)