STM Article Repository

Objectives: To compare the efficacy and safety of intravaginal misoprostol with transcervical Foley
catheter for labor induction.
Materials and Methods: One hundred and four women with term gestation, with Bishop score<4 and
with various indications for labor induction were randomly divided into two groups. In Group I, 25 g of
misoprostol tablet was placed intravaginally, 4 hourly up to maximum 6 doses. In Group II, Foley
catheter 16F was placed through the internal os of the cervix under aseptic condition and then inflated
with 50 cc of sterile saline. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software.
Results: The induction to delivery interval was 14.03 ±7.61 hours versus 18.40 ±8.02 hours (< 0.01).
The rate of vaginal delivery was 76.7% versus 56.8% in misoprostol and transcervical Foley catheter
group, respectively. Uterine hyperstimulation was more common with misoprostol. Neonatal outcome
was similar in both the groups.
Conclusion: Intravaginal misoprostol is associated with a shorter induction to delivery interval as
compared to Foley catheter and it increases the rate of vaginal delivery in cases of unripe cervix at
term. Transcervical Foley catheter is associated with a lower incidence of uterine hyperstimulation
during labor.