Objectives: To compare the active management of term pre-labour rupture of membranes with oral misoprostol and conservative management for 6 hours after rupture followed by stimulation with oxytocin. Setting: Labour wards of Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Mother of Christ Catholic Hospital and Annunciation Catholic Hospital, Enugu. Design: Double-blinded; randomized, controlled trial. Methods: Women randomized to the oral misoprostol group received 50mcg oral misoprostol at four hourly interval, if required, to a maximum of three doses (active group), and placebo intravenous infusion. Those in the expectant group received oral placebo tablets 4-hourly.This was followed by h stimulation of labour with oxytocin only if not in spontaneous labour 6-hours after pre-labour rupture of membranes. The outcome measures were time to vaginal delivery, uterine hyperstimulation with associated fetal heart rate changes, caesarean section and perinatal outcome. Women were asked about their preferences for care using the two methods.