{"title":"Sequential use of foley catheter and misoprostol versus misoprostol alone for induction of labor: a multicenter randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Saule Issenova, Dilfuza Sultanmuratova, Gulzhan Issina, Zhupar Nakhanova, Anel Kenzhegaliyeva, Rukset Attar","doi":"10.1016/j.ajogmf.2025.101769","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Labor induction is a critical intervention used when prolonging pregnancy poses risks to maternal or fetal health. While combined methods of cervical ripening have been studied, evidence specifically regarding sequential use (as opposed to simultaneous administration) remains limited.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To compare the efficacy and safety of a sequential labor induction method (Foley catheter followed by misoprostol) versus misoprostol alone in term pregnancies.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>This multicenter, randomized controlled trial (NCT06249815) was conducted at 2 hospitals in Almaty, Kazakhstan. A total of 400 women with singleton term pregnancies, cephalic presentation, and unfavorable cervices (Modified Bishop Score ≤6) requiring labor induction were enrolled. Participants were randomly assigned to: PRIMARY OUTCOME: Vaginal delivery.</p><p><strong>Secondary outcomes: </strong>Cesarean delivery, uterine hyperstimulation, fetal distress, Apgar scores, postpartum hemorrhage, chorioamnionitis, perineal trauma, operative vaginal birth, blood transfusion, and labor augmentation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The sequential method significantly increased the probability of vaginal delivery compared to misoprostol alone (77.5% vs 69.5%; adjusted RR=1.16; 95% CI: 1.04-1.29; P=.009). The total dose of misoprostol required was significantly lower in the sequential group (P<.001). A higher incidence of chorioamnionitis was observed in the sequential group (OR=3.82; 95% CI: 1.05-13.9; P=.03).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The sequential method increases the probability of vaginal delivery while requiring a lower total misoprostol dose, without increasing the rate of major maternal or neonatal complications. However, it may be associated with a higher risk of chorioamnionitis, which warrants further investigation. These findings support its consideration as a clinically effective and pharmacologically conservative alternative for labor induction in women with an unfavorable cervix.</p>","PeriodicalId":36186,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology Mfm","volume":" ","pages":"101769"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1000,"publicationDate":"2025-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology Mfm","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajogmf.2025.101769","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Labor induction is a critical intervention used when prolonging pregnancy poses risks to maternal or fetal health. While combined methods of cervical ripening have been studied, evidence specifically regarding sequential use (as opposed to simultaneous administration) remains limited.
Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of a sequential labor induction method (Foley catheter followed by misoprostol) versus misoprostol alone in term pregnancies.
Study design: This multicenter, randomized controlled trial (NCT06249815) was conducted at 2 hospitals in Almaty, Kazakhstan. A total of 400 women with singleton term pregnancies, cephalic presentation, and unfavorable cervices (Modified Bishop Score ≤6) requiring labor induction were enrolled. Participants were randomly assigned to: PRIMARY OUTCOME: Vaginal delivery.
Results: The sequential method significantly increased the probability of vaginal delivery compared to misoprostol alone (77.5% vs 69.5%; adjusted RR=1.16; 95% CI: 1.04-1.29; P=.009). The total dose of misoprostol required was significantly lower in the sequential group (P<.001). A higher incidence of chorioamnionitis was observed in the sequential group (OR=3.82; 95% CI: 1.05-13.9; P=.03).
Conclusion: The sequential method increases the probability of vaginal delivery while requiring a lower total misoprostol dose, without increasing the rate of major maternal or neonatal complications. However, it may be associated with a higher risk of chorioamnionitis, which warrants further investigation. These findings support its consideration as a clinically effective and pharmacologically conservative alternative for labor induction in women with an unfavorable cervix.
期刊介绍:
The American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (AJOG) is a highly esteemed publication with two companion titles. One of these is the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Maternal-Fetal Medicine (AJOG MFM), which is dedicated to the latest research in the field of maternal-fetal medicine, specifically concerning high-risk pregnancies. The journal encompasses a wide range of topics, including:
Maternal Complications: It addresses significant studies that have the potential to change clinical practice regarding complications faced by pregnant women.
Fetal Complications: The journal covers prenatal diagnosis, ultrasound, and genetic issues related to the fetus, providing insights into the management and care of fetal health.
Prenatal Care: It discusses the best practices in prenatal care to ensure the health and well-being of both the mother and the unborn child.
Intrapartum Care: It provides guidance on the care provided during the childbirth process, which is critical for the safety of both mother and baby.
Postpartum Issues: The journal also tackles issues that arise after childbirth, focusing on the postpartum period and its implications for maternal health. AJOG MFM serves as a reliable forum for peer-reviewed research, with a preference for randomized trials and meta-analyses. The goal is to equip researchers and clinicians with the most current information and evidence-based strategies to effectively manage high-risk pregnancies and to provide the best possible care for mothers and their unborn children.