BACKGROUND The efficacy and safety of low dose misoprostol as a ripening agent compared to the widely used balloon catheter in developing countries is undetermined. OBJECTIVE To compare the safety and efficacy of a low dose intravaginal misoprostol and intracervical Foley's catheter for cervical ripening. DESIGN A prospective randomized controlled trial. SETTING Zonal General Hospital, Kw...

Our aim was to examine the effect and cost-effectiveness of isosorbide mononitrate (IMN) for outpatient (at home) cervical ripening in Iranian women with term pregnancy. Term pregnant women were randomly selected to receive either  15 mg vaginally administered IMN or placebo. Patients were advised to take the second dose at home 24 h later and return to the hospital for admission after the next...

Our aim was to examine the effect and cost-effectiveness of isosorbide mononitrate (IMN) for outpatient (at home) cervical ripening in Iranian women with term pregnancy. Term pregnant women were randomly selected to receive either  15 mg vaginally administered IMN or placebo. Patients were advised to take the second dose at home 24 h later and return to the hospital for admission after the next...

BACKGROUND To clarify whether the use of balloons for cervical ripening is associated with the incidence of umbilical cord prolapse. METHODS A postal questionnaire survey was distributed in Japan. Cases of umbilical cord prolapse occurring during labor in association with the use of balloons for cervical ripening between 2007 and 2011 in Japan were analyzed. RESULTS Answers from 942 institu...

The purpose of this study was to review systematically randomized controlled trials that were associated with cervical ripening. We identified randomized controlled trials that compared the use of Foley catheter, with or without extraamniotic saline solution infusion, Laminaria, or hygroscopic dilators for cervical ripening or induction with pharmacologic agents or placebo. Randomized controlle...

Induction of labor is common in obstetric practice. According to the most current studies, the rate varies from 9.5 to 33.7 percent of all pregnancies annually. In the absence of a ripe or favorable cervix, a successful vaginal birth is less likely. Therefore, cervical ripening or preparedness for induction should be assessed before a regimen is selected. Assessment is accomplished by calculati...

Objective. We aim to investigate methods and use of cervical ripening in women without and with a prior cesarean delivery in The Netherlands. Methods. In 2010, we conducted a postal survey in all Dutch hospitals with a labor ward. One gynecologist per hospital was addressed and was asked to respond on behalf of the staff. The questionnaire contained 31 questions concerning cervical ripening and...

at times, despite an unripe cervix, induction of labor may be needed. in these cases, a safe and suitable method should be considered for cervical ripening and pregnancy termination. the aim of this study is the comparison of vaginal misoprostol with foley catheter for cervical ripening and induction of labor. this randomized clinical trial was performed on 108 pregnant women who had referred t...

Background: An increasing success in induction of labor and subsequent termination of pregnancy in presence of unfavorable cervix requires cervical ripening in order to reduce complications and to diminish the rate of cesarean sections as well as the duration of labor.  However, there is no consensus on the efficiency of conventional methods for cervical ripening. Objective: To determine and co...