Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes with Combined Foley Catheter and Vaginal Misoprostol versus Vaginal Misoprostol Alone for Induction of Labour at 40 Weeks
Abstract: Background: In addition to shortening induction, the choice of cervical-ripening method may influence labour progression, mode of delivery, maternal complications and neonatal outcomes. This study compared selected secondary outcomes after combined transcervical Foley catheter and vaginal misoprostol versus vaginal misoprostol alone. Methods: This prospective, two-arm randomised controlled trial included 76 women at 40 weeks of gestation, allocated equally to transcervical Foley catheter (60 mL saline balloon) plus vaginal misoprostol (25 µg every four hours, maximum five doses) or vaginal misoprostol alone. Secondary outcomes included duration of labour, misoprostol dose requirement, oxytocin use, mode of delivery, meconium-stained liquor, neonatal Apgar scores, NICU admission and recorded maternal complications. Results: Mean duration of labour was 349.06±58.80 minutes in the combined group and 450.07±56.09 minutes in the misoprostol-only group (reported p2=10.617, p=0.031). Oxytocin was used in 5.3% versus 18.4% (p=0.076). Caesarean delivery occurred in 13.2% versus 23.7% (overall mode-of-delivery comparison p=0.387). Meconium-stained liquor, Apgar scores, NICU admission and recorded maternal complications did not differ significantly. Conclusions: The combined method was associated with shorter labour duration and lower misoprostol dose requirement. Differences in oxytocin use and mode of delivery were not statistically significant.
Keywords: Foley catheter; misoprostol; labour induction; mode of delivery; Apgar score; neonatal intensive care unit
How to Cite?: Arzoo Garg, Monika Thakur, Lalit Mahajan, "Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes with Combined Foley Catheter and Vaginal Misoprostol versus Vaginal Misoprostol Alone for Induction of Labour at 40 Weeks", Volume 15 Issue 11, November 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 450-453, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR261111132000, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR261111132000