Use of the Foley catheter as a cervical modifier and labor inducer in patients with a previous cesarean section
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61997/bjm.v14i3.488Keywords:
Endocervical balloon, Foley catheter, Cervical ripener, Labor inductionAbstract
Introduction: Pregnancy and childbirth care practices vary widely between countries. The Foley balloon catheter has been used as an effective tool for cervical ripening and labour induction. Objective: To describe the results of using the Foley balloon catheter as a cervical ripener and labour inducer in patients with previous caesarean sections in a maternity hospital in Djibouti. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted, including 26 patients with previous caesarean sections, in whom the Foley catheter was used as a cervical ripening inducer. Gestational age, cervical conditions, previous delivery history, catheter use time, transpelvic delivery success rate, and procedural complications were assessed. Results: The success rate for vaginal delivery was 89.5%. Twenty-three patients had a history of one or more previous vaginal deliveries. The Bishop score was less than 6 points in 80.7% of cases. The catheter was used for between 12 and 24 hours in 17 cases (65.4%). No uterine ruptures, haemorrhages or infections secondary to the procedure were reported. Conclusions: Most of the patients in this study were in the third trimester of pregnancy and had at least one delivery before or after the caesarean section. The Foley catheter was used with a high success rate for a short period of time, with no reported maternal complications.
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