Foley Catheter vs. Prostaglandins for Cervical Ripening

Induction of labor at term is a common intervention, but the ideal cervical ripening regimen is unknown. Although previous studies have shown equivalence in cesarean delivery rates between prostaglandins and intracervical Foley catheters, differences in risk for fetal distress or other adverse outcomes are less well understood. To compare the safety and efficacy of prostaglandin E₂ gel (PGE₂) and the intracervical Foley catheter bulb (30 cc) for inducing labor, researchers conducted a randomized unblinded trial in 824 women with unfavorable cervices at term who were scheduled for induction at any 1 of 12 hospitals in the Netherlands. The primary outcome was cesarean delivery.

The Foley catheter and PGE₂ groups had similar rates of cesarean a…