Which medication is appropriate for inducing labor in a woman who is overdue with minimal cervical dilation?

Misoprostol is a prostaglandin E1 analog that is commonly used for cervical ripening and labor induction, especially in cases where a woman is overdue and has minimal cervical dilation. It works by softening and thinning the cervix, making it more favorable for labor to commence. Additionally, misoprostol can stimulate uterine contractions, which can further facilitate the onset of labor.

In scenarios where a woman is overdue with little cervical readiness, utilizing misoprostol can be particularly effective due to its dual action on the cervix and the uterus. The medication can be administered vaginally or orally, allowing for flexibility based on the clinical situation.

The other options presented do not serve the same purpose in this context. Betamethasone is a corticosteroid used for fetal lung maturation in preterm labor, not for labor induction. Labetalol is an antihypertensive medication primarily used to manage high blood pressure but unrelated to the induction process. Oxytocin is used to enhance contractions in a woman who is already in labor but is not typically the first-line choice for initiating labor in a situation involving minimal cervical dilation. Thus, misoprostol is the most appropriate choice for inducing labor in this particular scenario.