Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 20, 2026
External Cephalic Version: Is it an Effective and Safe Procedure?
Published on: June 6, 2020
Induction of labor by Foley catheter compared with spontaneous onset of labor after previous cesarean section: a
Objective:
To evaluate the safety of induction of labor (IOL) with Foley catheter (FC) in women with a history of previous cesarean section (CS) and to assess risk factors for repeat CS and adverse maternal outcomes.
Study Design:
Cohort study of 1559 women with a history of previous CS in Helsinki University Hospital, Finland between 2013 and 2014.
Results:
Three hundred and sixty-one women (23.2%) underwent IOL by FC and 1198 (76.8%) had spontaneous onset of labor. The rate of repeat CS was higher in women undergoing IOL (38% vs 20.2%; P<0.001). The overall rate of uterine rupture was 0.3% in induced labor and 0.8% in spontaneous onset of labor (P=0.47). Adverse maternal outcomes were not significantly different. The intrapartum and postpartum infection rates were higher in women undergoing IOL compared with spontaneous onset of labor (6.1% vs 1.8%; P>0.001 and 5.3% vs 1.3%; P<0.001, respectively).
Conclusion:
FC appears safe and effective method for IOL in women with a history of previous CS.
