Efficacy and Safety of Foley Catheter Balloon for Cervix Priming in Term Pregnancy

Abstract

Introduction: Foley catheter promotes cervix priming by a direct mechanical effect of distension.
Material and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary hospital, including all cases of induction of labor with Foley catheter between September 1, 2013 and November 30, 2015. Women were eligible if they had a singleton pregnancy with a Bishop score < 6 and a gestational age ≥ 41 weeks or a medical indication for induction of labor. The primary outcome was the Bishop score variation (difference between Bishop score before and after insertion of Foley catheter). Mode of delivery, induction-to-delivery time, uterine tachysystole with fetal decelerations, peripartum fever ≥ 38º C, maternal pain and mortality were also analyzed.
Results: Within 201 inductions with Foley catheter, average increase in Bishop score after catheter placement was three (1 - 7), with only 5% (11/201) of unmodified cervix after catheter removal/extrusion. Vaginal delivery rate was 71% (142/201) and in women with a previous cesarean section (n = 40) was 37% (15/40). Average induction-to-delivery time was 38 hours (4 - 120). Uterine infection rate was 3% (6/201). There was only one case of significant vaginal bleeding which required immediate catheter removal. There has been no significative maternal or neonatal morbidity.
Discussion/Conclusion: Foley catheter is a safe and effective method of cervical priming for women with an unfavorable cervix, even in the case of a previous cesarean delivery.