Efficacy of Foley’s Bulb for Induction of Labour

Abstract

Background:Labor induction is being increasingly used (15-30% of pregnancies). The most common indications include late pregnancy preeclampsia, intrauterine fetal growth retardation (IUGR), hypertension. Preinduction by speeding up the ripening of the cervix increases the chances of successful induction. Aims: To assess the efficacy and safety of labor pre-induction using a Foley catheter for cervical ripening.
Materials and methods: This is a prospective study involving 100 patients done at Government maternity hospital with Gestational age of 36 to 42 weeks with Single viable fetus with vertex presentation.Results: Bishop’s score at initial and after expulsion was compared using Student t test. The mean difference was 6.29 with t value 27.36 and was statistically significant. Mean time Interval for induction to expulsion of Foley’s bulb is 13.25 +/- 3.788. Mean induction delivery interval for the subjects following Foley’s bulb induction is 21.39 + 6.09. Following induction with Foley’s bulb 68% of the patients required acceleration with oxytocin. 89% of the patients delivered by normal vaginal delivery and 11% of the cases landed up in caesarean .The most common maternal complication were pyrexia, bleeding p/v, PROM.
Conclusions:The Foley catheter is an effective method of inducing cervical maturation. The Foley catheter is safe method of labor induction for the mother fetus and new-born.