To determine and compare the efficacy and safety of transcervical foley catheter and 50µg intravaginal misoprostol for induction of labor after 37 completed weeks of gestation and to determine the maternal and fetal outcome. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study conducted from March 2014 to August 2015 in R.L Jalappa Hospital and Research centre, Tamaka, Kolar. A total of 200 cases were included in the study. Each group was alternatively induced with transcervical foley catheter and 50µg of intravaginal misoprostol. The two groups were comparable with respect to maternal age, parity, gestational age and pre induction modified bishop score. Post induction bishop score after 6hours, induction delivery interval, mode of delivery, maternal and fetal outcomes were recorded. The collected data was analyzed using student ‘t’ test and chi square test. Results: The groups were comparable with respect to maternal age, parity, gestational age and pre induction modified bishop score. The mean induction to active stage was significantly less in misoprostol group (7.46±4.82hrs) when compared to foley catheter group (9.7±4.47hrs) with p=0.01**. Mean induction to delivery interval was less in misoprostol group (14.59±5.57) when compared to foley catheter group (15.67±4.91) with p   value of 0.005** .The requirement of oxytocin augmentation was significantly more in foley catheter group with p<0.001**. The cesarean section rate was high in foley catheter group (40%) when compared to misoprostol group (29%) with p=0.223 which was not statistically significant. Apgar scores, birth weight, neonatal intensive care unit admissions and maternal side effects showed no difference between two groups. Conclusion: Misoprostol as a method of induction of labor intravaginally in dosage of 50µg is more efficacious than transcervical foley catheter in terms of shorter induction delivery interval and less oxytocin augmentation. Maternal and perinatal outcomes were similar in both the methods of induction confirming the safety of both methods. 

Keywords: Foley Catheter; Induction of Labor; Misoprostol.