METHODS: We performed a retrospective comparative study in a French maternity. We analyzed 404 women with induction of labour after 37 gestational weeks, with singleton cephalic live fetus, unscarred uterus, unruptured membranes, and Bishop score<6. The primary endpoint was the time between the start of the ripening and the delivery. Secondary endpoints include effectiveness and safety outcomes of the methods.
RESULTS: Compared to dinoprostone pessary, the balloon catheter was associated with a longer time to delivery (34.4±16.5 vs 25.5±15.3h; P<0.001). This difference is found in both primiparous and multiparous women. Balloon catheter is also associated with a smaller improvement of the Bishop score (2.5±2.1 vs 4.2±2.9 Bishop\'s points; P<0.001) and more failure to achieve delivery in 24h (32.3% vs 56.7%; P<0.001). There was no difference in mother and fetal safety.
CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective study, cervical ripening using balloon catheter seems to lengthen the induction of labour. No difference in safety outcomes with dinoprostone was found.