Objectives: This study was undertaken to determine the efficacy and safety of the Foley catheter as a cervical priming agent.
Material and methods: Data analysis concern 327 women undergoing cervical ripening with intracervical Foley catheter. The primary measured outcome was ripening of the cervix as measured with the Bishop score. The secondary outcomes were the timings starting from balloon removal (or from spontaneous expulsion) to delivery the preinduction-delivery interval, mode of delivery frequency of side effects and neonatal outcome.
Results: The most common indications for induction were post-term and non-reassuring fetal status. Intracervical Foley catheter was retained for mean duration of 15 hours 35 minutes. Bishop score rise after preinduction time was statistically significant (3.29 +/- 1.16 at the balloon insertion; 6.85 +/- 1.7 at the removal of the Foley catheter). Mean Bishop score change was 3.56 +/- 1.58. The average interval from balloon expulsion to delivery was 8 hours 27 minutes, the preinduction-delivery interval - 24 hours 3 minutes. Out of 327 women undergoing cervical ripening with the Foley catheter 236 (72.17%) had vaginal delivery 91 (27.38%)--cesarean delivery. The rate of vaginal delivery was significantly higher in the multiparous group (85.32%) when compared to nulliparous (65.6%). In 312 neonates (94.8%), the Apgar score at 3 min was more than 8.
Conclusions: Intracervical Foley catheter is an effective and safe agent for cervical ripening.