Azra Naseem, Darakhshan Nouman, Javed Iqbal, Muhammad Abdul Majeed, Muhammad Mujeeb Khan.
Intracervical Foley`s Catheter Balloon versus Prostaglandin E2 vaginal pessary for induction of labor.
J Rawal Med Coll Jan ;12(2):94-9.

Background: To compare the effectiveness and safety of intracervical Foley`s Catheter balloon and (PGE2) prostaglandin E2 for cervical ripening at term. . Method: This quasi experimental study was conducted in the . labour ward at POF Hospital Wah from 3rd August 2004 to 3rd August 2005. 106 women with singleton term pregnancy with cephalic presentation and Bishop score < 6, requiring induction of labour at > 37 weeks gestation were randomly assigned to receive induction with intracervical Foley Catheter or PGE2 3mg vaginal pessary in two doses 6 hourly. 50 women were recruited in each arm after 6 exclusions. 12 hours post induction, oxytocin infusion was started and artificial rupture of membranes was performed according to Bishop Score. Main outcome measures were cervical score improvement, mode Of delivery and induction delivery interval. Secondary outcome measures were neonatal outcome and any intrapartum complications. Results: Induction to delivery interval was 14.36 + 4.17 and 16.79 + 4.80 hours (P=0.008) in Foleys and PGE2 group respectively. Mean Bishop Score after 12 hours of induction was similar in both groups. Less episodes of uterine hyperstimulation were noted in Foleys Catheter group (p=0.182). Mean Bishop Score at start of induction was 2.50+0.97 in Foleys and 2.58 ± 1.11 in PGE2, after 12 hours it was 6.38 + 1.18and 6.26 + 1.17 respectively. Significantly more women needed oxytocin infusion for augmentation of labour in Foleys Catheter group, 49(98%) versus 41(84%) in PGE2 group (p=0.014). Mean APGAR Scores at 5 minutes were 9.6 versus 9.18 (p=0.013). Conclusion: Use of intracervical Foley`s Catheter balloon for pre-induction cervical ripening is effective, safe, reversible and easily acceptable method with lesser side effect profile.

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