Effect of the Foley catheter and synchronous low dose misoprostol administration on cervical ripening: a randomised controlled trial

Abstract

This randomised controlled trial was carried out over a 14-month period in a tertiary health institution in Nigeria, to determine the effectiveness of Foley catheter and synchronous low dose misoprostol for pre-labour cervical ripening. Term pregnant women with unfavourable cervices (Bishop's score < 6) requiring cervical ripening/induction of labour were assigned randomly into three groups: Group A, transcervical Foley catheter was used synchronously with low dose intravaginal misoprostol; Group B, transcervical Foley catheter alone was used and Group C, low dose intravaginal misoprostol alone was used. The time to achieve a favourable cervical status as well as vaginal delivery was significantly shorter in the synchronous group than in the control groups (p < 0.05). The synchronous use of Foley catheter and misoprostol is very effective in cervical ripening and should be considered in clinical situations where there is need to hasten vaginal delivery in the presence of an unripe cervix.