Foley catheter versus intravaginal prostaglandins E2 for cervical ripening in women at term with an unfavorable cervix: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to compare the efficacy of labor induction by Foley catheter balloon (FCB) insertion to intravaginal dinoprostone tablet placement in women with an unfavorable cervix.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted. Women were assigned to insertion of a FCB or placement of a vaginal dinoprostone tablets and their outcome were compared.

RESULTS: The study comprised 300 women. The time to active labor was significantly shorter in the FCB compared with the dinoprostone group, but required more oxytocin administration. A lower rate of cesarean section was found only in nulliparous women in the FCB group. The neonatal outcome was favorable and similar in both groups.

CONCLUSION: Both methods had similar results regarding achieving vaginal delivery within 24 h and cesarean section rate. For nulliparous women, the FCB induction method had the advantage of a shorter time to active labor and a lower rate of cesarean section.