Analysis of Foley catheter balloon and low-dose oxytocin for induction of labour in term pregnancy with low cervical score

Objective To investigate the effect of Foley catheter balloon combined with low-dose oxytocin intravenous infusion on cervical ripening in induction of labour of term pregnancy with low cervical score. Methods A total of 180 primiparous women with a term pregnancy, singleton fetus in cephalic presentation, Bishop score≤4, without contraindications of induced labour from June 2017 to June 2019 in the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group(n=90 each). In the observation group, a 16-F Foley catheter was inserted into patient's cervical canal, then the balloon was inflated with 80 ml saline; at the same time intravenous infusion of low-dose oxytocin was initiated. In the control group, patients only received intravenous infusion of low-dose oxytocin. The cervical ripening, delivery mode and outcome between the two groups were compared. Results The observation group had a higher improvement of Bishop score, higher rate of vaginal delivery, shorter induction time and shorter duration of labour than the control group (P＜0.05). There were no significant differences in neonatal birth weight and volume of postpartum hemorrhage between the two groups (P＞0.05). Puerperal infection occurred in neither group. Conclusions The Foley catheter balloon combined with low-dose oxytocin is simple, convenient, inexpensive, and is more effective for cervical ripening, with higher rate of vaginal delivery. It is recommended for induction of labour in term pregnancy with low cervical score.