Abstract

Background: Induction of labour is initiation of uterine contractions before the onset in order to vaginally deliver the fetoplacental unit. Common reasons for induction of labour (IOL) are post-term and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Many women who undergo induction do not have a favourable cervix, so some methods of cervical ripening either pharmaceutical or mechanical are used. Aim & Objective: To compare the effectiveness of the transcervical Foley catheter and the prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) gel for the induction of labour. Methodology: The clinical trial was conducted for a period of two years OBGY department of Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune. 196 pregnant women which included and randomly via block randomization divided into two groups. Group A had 98 women in whom the transcervical Foley catheter was inserted and Group B included 98 women in whom the PGE2 gel was inserted vaginally for IOL. Bishop’s score and duration from induction to onset of labour was calculated. Data analysis was done and appropriate statistical tests were used. Results: In Group A (37.8%) as well as in Group B (41.8%) most of the pregnancies were primigravida. The most common indication for induction in both groups was postdatism. The adjuvant therapy was required in 66.3% and 54.1% of women in Group A & B respectively. Significant higher median values were observed in Bishop’s score at 12 hours as compared to 0 hour in both the groups. No significant association was observed between mode of induction and need of adjuvant therapy and induction to onset hours in both groups. Conclusion: The study shows that both Foley's catheter and PGE2 gel are equally effective in pre induction cervical ripening.

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