Comparison of Foley's catheter and misoprostol versus misoprostol alone on labour induction

Abstract

Background: Labour is traditionally induced with sub lingual (SL) misoprostol but researchers have proposed greater effectives and benefits if Foley's catheter is also used. Aims and Objectives: The aim was to study the effect of cervical Foley's catheter and misoprostol on labour induction in comparison to SL misoprostol alone. Materials and Methods: This randomised controlled trial was conducted from January 2020 to January 2021 on a study population of 96 female patients. They were distributed by lottery method into Groups 0; having been given SL misoprostol alone and Group 1; given the same in addition to cervical Foley's catheter. After randomisation, each group of 48 patients was noted for the method of delivery and time from induction to delivery in hours. Results: Groups 0 and 1 had 48 patients each with a total of 96 patients. Overall means for age in years and age of gestation in weeks were 25.80 ± 5.73 and 39.51 ± 1.13, respectively. Overall parity was 1.88 ± 0.83. Normal vaginal delivery (NVD) was seen in 25 (26%) patients in Group 0 and 34 (35.4%) in Group 1, P = 0.01. Meantime from induction to delivery for Group 0 was 17.89 ± 1.05 h and for Group 1 13.93 ± 1.47 h respectively, with a difference of 3.96 ± 0.42 h and P = 0.01. Conclusion: The combination of misoprostol and Foley's catheter in the cervix is associated with more vaginal deliveries characterised by shorter times of delivery.