Intracervical Foley catheter balloon vs. prostaglandin in preinduction cervical ripening

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of the intracervical Foley balloon catheter and 3 mg prostaglandin E 2 tablet(s) in preinduction cervical ripening. Methods: Ninety women referred to the maternity clinic for induction of labor with a Bishop score of less than or equal to 5 were randomized to receive an intracervical Foley catheter or prostaglandin E 2 tablets. The primary measured outcome was ripening of the cervix as measured with the Bishop score. Results: There were no differences in mean Bishop scores between the prostaglandin and the Foley catheter groups. Bishop scores (mean±S.D.) after ripening were 6.6±0.80 and 6.7±0.86 for the Foley catheter and prostaglandin groups, respectively ( P=0.54). The Foley catheter group showed a statistically shorter time to ripening compared with the prostaglandin group (3.4±2.1 and 6.5±3.2 h, respectively ( P=0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in induction time (4.8±1.8 h and 5.3±2.4 h, respectively ( P=0.36). Conclusions: There are no differences in preinduction cervical ripening efficacy between prostaglandin E 2 and the Foley catheter, but the Foley catheter has the advantage of ripening an unfavorable cervix in a shorter time.