INTRACERVICAL FOLEY CATHETER: A VIABLE OPTION FOR LABOR INDUCTION POST-CESAREAN SECTION

Abstract

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of the Intracervical Foley Catheter for labour induction in patients with a history of one caesarean surgery. Material And Methods: This quasi-experimental study was undertaken in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Qazi Hussain Ahmed Medical Complex in Nowshera from October 2023 to April 2024. Labour was induced in all research patients using a size 18 single balloon Foley catheter for those who met the eligibility criteria following a thorough history and clinical evaluation. Under rigorously aseptic settings, we introduced a catheter into the intracervical canal beyond the internal cervical os and infused the bulb with water under pressure ranging from 30 to 60 cm³. During the subsequent 24 hours, we did not remove the catheter unless it dislodged spontaneously. The efficacy of the balloon foley catheter was assessed based on the incidence of vaginal delivery following a caesarean section. Results: The study indicates a mean age of 30 years with a standard deviation of ± 8.12. Among the patients, 44 (34%) were at a gestational age of 37-38 weeks, while 85 (66%) were at 39-41 weeks. Seventy-nine (61%) patients had a BMI of ?27 kg/m², while fifty (39%) patients had a BMI exceeding 27 kg/m². The intracervical Foley was efficacious in 93 patients (72%) and ineffective in 36 individuals (28%). Conclusion: In light of the findings obtained in the course of the present study, we found that intracervical Foley catheter is a reasonably safe option for women who had previous one caesarean section.