Clinical comparison of vaginal misoprostol combined with a foley balloon versus vaginal misoprostol alone for inducing labor: a prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the induction-to-delivery time and maternal satisfaction associated with vaginal misoprostol combined with a Foley balloon to those associated with vaginal misoprostol alone for labor induction.

METHODS

This was a prospective cohort study involving singleton full-term pregnant women with fetuses who were observed in the cephalic position; these patients were divided into a combination group (25 µg vaginal misoprostol combined with a Foley balloon, n = 94) and a misoprostol group (25 µg vaginal misoprostol, n = 105). The primary outcome was the induction-to-delivery time, and the secondary outcomes included maternal satisfaction, mode of delivery and neonatal conditions.

RESULTS

The induction-to-delivery time was significantly lower in the combination group than in the misoprostol group (13.91 [10.85-21.48] hours vs. 17.8 [12.63-26.63] hours, respectively; P = 0.016), and this difference was still observed in analyses including only those women with vaginal births (13.40 [10.65-20.47] hours vs. 18.49 [12.91-27.00] hours, respectively; P = 0.001). Stratified analysis revealed that this benefit was particularly significant among nulliparous women. The questionnaire survey revealed similar levels of maternal satisfaction with birth experience between the combination group and the misoprostol group (69.9% vs. 66.7%, P = 0.627) but a higher rate of pain during labor induction in the combination group (16% vs. 5.8%, P = 0.02). No significant differences were observed in neonatal conditions, satisfaction rates regarding the duration of labor induction and the frequency and intensity of contractions between the groups.

CONCLUSION

Vaginal misoprostol combined with a Foley balloon effectively shortens the induction-to-delivery time but induces more severe pain during labor induction, thus providing overall satisfaction comparable to that of vaginal misoprostol for labor induction. An optimal scheme for labor induction should be determined according to expectations regarding the induction-to-delivery time, and the personal feelings of the pregnant women.