Abstract
Objectives To assess effectiveness and safety of Foley catheter versus vaginal misoprostol for
term induction of labor.
Study Design This trial randomly allocated women with singleton term pregnancy to 30-mL Foley
catheter or 25-μg vaginal misoprostol tablets. Primary outcome was cesarean delivery
rate. Secondary outcomes were maternal and neonatal morbidity and time to birth. Additionally,
a systematic review was conducted.
Results Fifty-six women were allocated to Foley catheter, 64 to vaginal misoprostol tablets.
Cesarean delivery rates did not differ significantly (25% Foley versus 17% misoprostol;
relative risk [RR] 1.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.72 to 2.94), with more cesarean
deliveries due to failure to progress in the Foley group (14% versus 3%; RR 4.57,
95% CI 1.01 to 20.64). Maternal and neonatal outcomes were comparable. Time from induction
to birth was longer in the Foley catheter group (36 hours versus 25 hours; p < 0.001). Meta-analysis showed no difference in cesarean delivery rate and reduced
vaginal instrumental deliveries and hyperstimulation in the Foley catheter group.
Other outcomes were not different.
Conclusion Our trial and meta-analysis showed no difference in cesarean delivery rates and less
hyperstimulation with fetal heart rate changes and vaginal instrumental deliveries
when using Foley catheter, thereby supporting potential advantages of the Foley catheter
over misoprostol as ripening agent.
Keywords
cervical ripening - labor induction - Foley catheter - misoprostol - prostaglandin
E1 - cesarean delivery rate