What should you know about misoprostol for delivery?

Misoprostol is a medicine that can change the cervix and make the uterus contract. During an induction of labour, a clinician may consider it when the cervix is not ready for labour. The route, dose, spacing, and need for monitoring depend on your pregnancy, examination, previous uterine surgery, and local maternity protocol.

Contractions can become frequent or strong, and some people experience cramping, nausea, diarrhoea, chills, or a raised temperature. The team checks contractions and the baby’s heart rate, then decides whether another dose is appropriate or whether a different method is safer.

Tell the maternity team about a previous caesarean birth or other uterine operation, bleeding, allergies, fever, medicines, and any concern about fetal movement. Do not take tablets obtained outside your prescribed plan or change the route yourself. Keep your pregnancy records available and ask who will observe you after administration.

You can ask how the medicine will be given, how contractions and fetal wellbeing will be watched, and what alternatives are available. Read about [Misoprostol](/materials/misoprostol/) and [Induction of Labour](/treatments/pregnancy-and-birth-care/induction-of-labour/) for related background.

Contact the maternity unit urgently for heavy bleeding, severe or constant abdominal pain, faintness, difficulty breathing, a seizure, fever that persists, or a noticeable reduction in fetal movement. During an induction, tell staff immediately if contractions are unusually close together, continuous, or difficult to cope with. These symptoms need assessment rather than another dose at home.

Ask why misoprostol is being considered, how your cervix and the baby will be monitored, which warning signs should be reported, and what plan follows if contractions do not develop or become too frequent.