Is Foley Catheter Use during a Trial of Labor after Cesarean Associated with Uterine Rupture?

Abstract

Objective We sought to assess the safety of transcervical Foley catheter (TCF) placement for cervical ripening in women undergoing induction of labor (IOL) after prior cesarean by evaluating the risk of uterine rupture.

Study Design We performed a secondary analysis of the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Unit's Cesarean Section Registry, a prospective observational cohort study. We included women with a history of ≤2 low-transverse cesarean deliveries who underwent IOL at ≥24 weeks of gestational age with a live singleton fetus without major anomalies. We excluded those who received prostaglandins or laminaria. We performed multinomial logistic regression to calculate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for uterine rupture and dehiscence. Relevant confounders included prior vaginal delivery, pregnancy-induced hypertension, chorioamnionitis, and cervical effacement and dilation on admission.

Results A total of 2,564 women were eligible. Unadjusted analysis demonstrated no increased risk of uterine rupture with TCF (1.9 vs. 0.9%; p = 0.10) but an increased risk of uterine dehiscence (1.9 vs. 0.6%; p = 0.02). After adjustment, TCF was not associated with an increased risk of uterine rupture (aOR: 2.02; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.71–5.78) or uterine scar dehiscence (aOR: 1.32; 95% CI: 0.37–4.72).

Conclusion Foley catheter is a safe tool for mechanical dilation in women undergoing IOL after prior cesarean.

Keywords

cervical ripening - induction of labor - TOLAC - VBAC

Note

The contents of this report represent the views of the authors and do not represent the views of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Maternal–Fetal Medicine Units Network or the National Institutes of Health.

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