Combination of mechanical and pharmacological methods for induction of labor in women with unfavorable cervices

Abstract

Objective. This study aimed at improving care of labor in women with unfavorable cervices. Methods. A randomized clinical trial was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Suez Canal University Hospital in the period from from September 2016 to December 2018. All primigravid women with full-term preg-nancies and fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included. Sixty patients were enrolled in the study. They were divided into two groups, 30 patients each, involving the different induction techniques. Results. There was significant reduction in duration to ac-tive phase with a mean + SD of 324.52 ± 88.092 vs. 545.73 ± 49.787 min (p = 0.0001), shorter mean total length of induction (643.96 ± 162.755 vs. 1037.27 ± 145.933 min, p = 0.0001), and more successful induction of labor and delivery in less than 12 h (14 (60.9%) vs. 2 (9.1%), p = 0.0001), with the use of Foley catheter & vaginal misoprostol. Conclusions. Foley catheter combined with vaginal misopros-tol was more effective but less safe than a Foley catheter combined with vaginal IMN for induction of labor in term and post-term pregnancy.