Mechanical cervical ripening with foley catheter balloon: Rekindling a forgotten art

Abstract

Introduction: Induction of labor is carried out in 20% of pregnancies in some countries. The success of induction of labor depends mainly upon the cervical ripening score. The most popularly used prostaglandins, misoprostol and dinoprostone, are effective in cervical ripening but have side effects of uterine hyperstimulation and fetal hypoxia, which may increase operative intervention and admissions to neonatal intensive care units. Mechanical dilatation is an age-old method that is safe and effective but lost its popularity with fear of chorioamnionitis. Aims and objectives: To study the efficacy and safety of Foley’s catheter balloon as cervical ripening method when compared with misoprostol administered vaginally. Materials and methods: In this experimental study, 50 full-term patients with poor cervical score were included. They were divided into group I—those who received intracervical Foley and group II—those who received vaginal misoprostol. The cervical score was reassessed 24 hours later. Other variables like mode of delivery, fetal heart variability, and uterine hyperstimulation were also studied. Results: Both groups I and II showed improvement in cervical score. The occurrence of uterine hyperstimulation and fetal heart variabilities was less in group I. Conclusion: Mechanical cervical ripening with Foley’s balloon catheter is as effective and safer compared with msoprostol when used for preinduction cervical ripening in full-term patients.