Patient Satisfaction of Outpatient versus Inpatient Foley Catheter Induction of Labor

Labor induction is one of the most common obstetric procedures performed in the U.S. In 2012, the last year for which data is available, 23.7% of all deliveries were the result of inductions. Labor induction first requires cervical ripening, which can be accomplished by several different methods. Vaginal or oral prostaglandins, extra amniotic saline infusion, osmotic dilators and transcervical Foley catheters are all widely used instruments for pre-induction cervical ripening. The ideal cervical ripening tool is safe for both mother and fetus, incurs low cost, does not require extensive monitoring, and causes minimal maternal discomfort. The Foley catheter has been found to be both safe and effective, but little is known about patient satisfaction with the device in an in-patient and out-patient setting. The proposed study will investigate patient satisfaction in a randomized controlled trial of in-patient versus out-patient use of Foley catheters.