A randomized trial comparing a 30-mL and an 80-mL Foley catheter balloon for preinduction cervical ripening

Objectives The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of cervical ripening with 2 Foley catheter balloon volumes. Study design Pregnant women admitted for induction of labor with a term singleton gestation were randomly assigned for cervical ripening by a balloon inflated with 30 mL or 80 mL of sterile saline. Results Two hundred and three women were included in the analysis. Ripening of the cervix with the larger balloon volume was associated with a significantly higher rate of post-ripening dilatation of 3 cm or more (76.0% vs 52.4%, P< .001). In primiparous women, the larger balloon volume resulted in a significantly higher rate of deliveries by 24 hours (71.4% vs 49%, P< .05), and a significantly less requirement of augmentation with oxytocin (69.3% vs 90.4%, P< .05). Conclusion Ripening of the unfavorable cervix in primiparous women with a Foley catheter balloon inflated with 80 mL provided effective more dilatation, faster labor, and decreased need for oxytocin than with a balloon inflated with 30 mL of sterile saline.