Balloon catheter vs oxytocin alone for induction of labor in women with one previous cesarean section and an unfavorable cervix: a multicenter, retrospective study.

PURPOSE

To compare the rate of vaginal birth between double-balloon catheter and oxytocin alone for induction of labor in women with one previous cesarean section and an unfavorable cervix.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective and observational study was conducted from 2013 to 2017, at the Saint-Etienne University Hospital where women received induction with a double-balloon catheter for 12 h and at the Grenoble Alpes University Hospital where women received induction with a low-dose oxytocin infusion. Primary outcome was the rate of vaginal birth.

RESULTS

Out of 1920 women eligible for attempting a vaginal birth after one previous cesarean section, 501 had a labor induction. Among women with an unfavorable cervix, 160 received a double-balloon catheter in Saint Etienne and 152 received oxytocin alone in Grenoble. The vaginal birth rate was higher in the double-balloon catheter group (61% versus 47% in the oxytocin group). An induction of labor with oxytocin alone reduced chances of vaginal birth (aOR 0.38 CI-95% [0.22-0.66]) compared to cervical ripening with double-balloon catheter. The perinatal morbidity was similar in the two groups. There was, however, 3.9% uterine rupture in the oxytocin group versus 0.6% in the double-balloon group (p = 0.11).

CONCLUSION

For induction of labor in women with one previous cesarean section and with unfavorable cervix, cervical ripening with a double-balloon catheter increases the rate of vaginal birth without increased risk of uterine rupture.