Comparison of Vaginal Misoprostol with Foley Catheter for Cer-vical Ripening and Induction of Labor

Abstract Background: Sometimes despite an unripe cervix, induction of labor may be needed. In these cases, safe and suitable method should be considered for cervical ripening and pregnancy termination. The aim of this study was to assess the comparison of vaginal misoprostol with foley catheter for cervical ripening and induction of labor. Methods: This randomized clinical trial was performed on 110 pregnant women referred to the teaching hospit-als of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences during a time period of September 2007 to March 2008. The women were randomly divided into two groups: misoprostol (49 cases) and foley catheter (59 cases). For first group, 25 microgram vaginal misoprostol every 4 hour up to maximum 6 doses was administered. For second group, foley catheter 18F inflated with 50 cc of sterile water was placed through the internal os of the cervix. Data was analyzed by SPSS software. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Findings: Two groups were similar in the view of demographic characteristics, cesarean indications, maternal-fetal outcomes and neonatal outcomes. Vaginal delivery was significantly higher in misoprostol group (89.9 vs. 62.7, P = 0.001). The mean of delivery time was significantly shorter in misoprostol group (11.08 ± 5.6 vs. 13.6 ± 16.0 h, P < 0.05). Conclusion: In the case of need to pregnancy termination and unripe cervix, two methods of misoprostol and foley catheter are suitable, but it seems that misoprostol decreases time of delivery and need to cesarean more than the other. Keywords: Misoprostol, Foley catheter, Cervix ripening, Induction of labor.