Foley Catheter for Induction of Labor

Study Design: Allocation: 2 arms Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment Masking: Open Label Primary Purpose: Treatment Detailed Description The utilization of a Foley catheter for induction of labor is well established. There are two techniques readily used for placing a Foley catheter. The most common method is under direct visualization of the cervix during a sterile speculum examination and the other method is to place a catheter during a digital cervical examination. Studies have reported the use of a rigid stylette (a thin wire inserted into a catheter to maintain rigidity) to guide the insertion of the Foley catheter decreases failure rate. The Foley catheter plus rigid stylette technique seems to be an efficient and safe method for labor induction. However, to our knowledge there is no study that assesses the difference between the standard digital placement of a Foley catheter versus the digital placement of a Foley catheter with stylette.