BACKGROUND- Since ancient times, labour inducton is a well established obstetric concept. In the past
few decades, rate of labour induction has increased dramatically. The primary objective of this study was
to compare the efcacy of transcervical foley catheter with intracervical dinoprostone gel for cervical ripening and labour
induction in term singleton pregnancies with unfavourable cervix.
METHODS- Term singleton pregnancies fullling inclusion criteria were randomized by chit box system to receive intracervical
dinoprostone or transcervical foley catheter. Progress of labour was monitored with the help of partogram. Labour
augmentation was done by oxytocin.
RESULTS- 110 patients in each group were enrolled. Group A was induced with transcervical Foley catheter and group B with
dinoprostone gel. Baseline characteristics like maternal age, parity, gestational age were comparable in each group. There
was a signicant difference in the Bishop's score (<.0.05) at the end of 12 hours, Group B showing a greater improvement than
A. A signicant difference was also observed in the requirement of augmentation with Pitocin, 77.27% in foley group and
63.63% in dinoprostone group . Although, there was no signicant difference observed in the mode of delivery (p>0.05) and
induction to delivery time interval (p>0.05) , maternal and neonatal morbidity between the groups.
CONCLUSION- To conclude, Dinoprostone is associated with rapid cervical ripening . Although, mean induction to delivery
interval and number of vaginal deliveries were comparable between the groups. Moreover, cost and safety prole of foley
catheter makes it comparable or even superior to dinoprostone gel for cervical ripening and induction of labour, especially in
developing countries.