A Trial of Oral Misoprostol for Labor Augmentation

Inclusion Criteria: * Clinical decision to augment labor * Gestational age \> than or equal to 36 weeks * Singleton gestation * Cephalic presentation * Reassuring fetal heart rate tracing * Cervical dilation between 4 and 8 cm * Ruptured membranes with clear amniotic fluid * Intrauterine pressure catheter in place * Less than 200 MVUs in a 10 minute period * 5 or fewer contractions in a 10 minute period * English or Spanish speaking patient Exclusion Criteria: * Non-reassuring fetal heart rate tracing at time of enrollment * Meconium stained amniotic fluid * Previous uterine incision * Maternal fever (defined as greater than 37.9 C) * Known fetal anomalies * Placenta previa or unexplained vaginal bleeding * Estimated fetal weight of 4,500 grams or more * Abnormal maternal bony pelvis * Grandmultiparity