The cervical balloon method for induction of labor.

The cervical balloon (Embrey & Mollison) was used to induce labor in a study group of 87 patients. The control group included 97 patients, where induction of labor was performed using oxytocin-drip. In the study group oxytocin-drip was added in 34 patients. The cases of the study and control groups were classified as "favorable" cervix. The patients classified as "unfavorable" cervix showed a shorter mean induction-delivery interval in the study group, and a shorter mean duration of oxytocin-drip in the cases of the study group where it was needed. It was concluded that the cervical balloon is a convenient method for the induction of labor, for its effectivity, simplicity and innocuity, especially in the "unfavorable" cervix cases.