Good obstetric care requires averting caesarean sections with all associated complications. Foley’s catheter has been successfully used since long for induction of labour. With the advent of prostaglandins there was growing interest in its use for the induction of labor. We have compared the safety and efficacy of sublingual misoprostol with Foley’s catheter followed by oxytocin for induction  and augmentation of labour in term pregnancy.

Method:

This study was conducted  over 214 women of over 18 years of age, with term gestation, having viable singleton fetus with cephalic presentation, with intact membranes and unfavourable cervix  admitted for labour, carried out over a period of 2 years. Induction of labour was conducted in group I with Foley’s catheter in extra amniotic space and oxytocin and in group II with misoprostol. Events of labour were graphically recorded.

Result:

There was no significant difference in the mean Bishop score after induction of labour with catheter and misoprostol. 24.3% cases of group I and 34.57% of group II ended up with LSCS. Indications being fetal distress 38.4%, failed induction 29.6% in group I and failed induction 77.67% in group II. Complications such as hyperstimulation, retro placental clots, need for blood transfusions and diarrhea were significantly more in group II. There was 1.86% perinatal mortality in group II. Distribution of perinatal morbidity and their percentages in both groups were nonsignificant.

Conclusion:

Foley’s catheter followed by oxytocin is better and more physiological as compared to sublingual misoprostol for induction and augmentation of labour.