Misoprostol for intrauterine fetal death.

The frequency of intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) with retained fetus varies, but is estimated to occur in 1% of all pregnancies. The vast majority of women will spontaneously labor and deliver within three weeks of the intrauterine death. The complexity in medical management increases significantly when the cervix is unripe or unfavorable, or when the woman develops disseminated intravascular coagulation. Misoprostol regimens for the induction of labor for second and third trimester IUFDs, range from 50 to 400 microg every 3 to 12 h, and are all clinically effective. Nevertheless, the current scientific evidence supports vaginal misoprostol dosages, which are adjusted to gestational age: between 13-17 weeks, 200 microg 6-hourly; between 18-26 weeks, 100 microg 6-hourly; and more than 27 weeks, 25-50 microg 4-hourly. In women with a previous cesarean, lower doses should be used and doubling of doses should not occur. Clinical monitoring should continue after delivery or expulsion because of the risk of postpartum atony and/or placenta retention.