Study of Labour Induction with Foley’s Catheter and Misoprostol in Comparison with Misoprostol Alone and Its Effect On Fetal and Maternal Outcome

Abstract

Background: Induction of labour is an obstetric procedure in which termination of pregnancy is done at or after the viable age of gestation by the use of some interventional method (Medical, Surgical or combined), with the purpose of initiation of labour and vaginal delivery and such intervention is done to serve the interest of either the mother or baby or both. The primary condition that must be fulfilled to interfere with this natural process must be that terminating pregnancy would benefit the mother or/and unborn. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of vaginal misoprostol in combination with Foleys catheter with vaginal misoprostol alone for labour induction.

Methods: This was a hospital-based comparative study done in pregnant women with a medical or obstetrical indication for induction of labour between the age group of 20-35 years, conducted in the Postgraduate Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences Srinagar, Kashmir. Total of 200 patients with a singleton pregnancy, fetal cephalic presentation, intact membranes and unfavourable cervix beyond the age of viability were taken from the said age group after admitting the patient to the labour room and ruling out any contraindication for induction of labour.

Results: The induction to delivery time was shorter in Foleys with misoprostol group as compared to misoprostol group alone by 3.67 hours. There was no significant difference in the mode of delivery and maternal and fetal complications between the two groups.

Conclusion: The addition of Foleys catheterization to vaginal misoprostol have a synergistic effect and results in early cervical ripening and delivery.