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Induction of labor is indicated when the assessed risks of continuing a pregnancy outweigh the benefits. Success rates for achieving vaginal delivery after induction approach 80%. The initial step in the process, cervical ripening, commonly is accomplished by either mechanical methods (such as balloon catheter dilatation) or pharmacological methods (such as oral/vaginal prostaglandins). But whether one of these methods is superior is unclear.
This meta-analysis included individual patient data from 12 randomized trials in which balloon catheter dilatation (single or double lumen) was compared with vaginal prostaglandins for induction of labor in 5460 women with viable singleton pregnancies.
Key results were as follows:
Rate of successful vagin…