title: Extra-amniotic balloon for preinduction cervical ripening: a randomized comparison of weighted traction versus unweighted.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether a weighted versus unweighted balloon catheter achieved a shorter first stage of labor.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a randomized trial of patients undergoing induction with Bishop score <4. Women were randomized to weighted balloon catheter with 1000 mL fluid bag or unweighted catheter taped to the thigh.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 60 women were randomized. The time from balloon catheter insertion until discontinuation was significantly longer in the unweighted group 4.62 ± 0.65 h versus 1.59 ± 0.2 h in the weighted group (p = 0.001). This resulted in longer cervical ripening/first stage of labor in the unweighted (18.52 ± 0.96 h) versus weighted group (15.3 ± 0.99 h) (p = 0.025). The unweighted balloon catheter had a shorter first stage of labor as gravidity increased (p = 0.007) and as race went from white to non-white (p = 0.003). There was no difference in perceived pain after balloon insertion (p = 0.0942), or Bishop score after balloon discontinuation (p = 0.1661).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The total time from cervical ripening to the end of the first stage of labor is significantly shortened with the weighted balloon catheter.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Portsmouth, VA 23708, USA. monica.lutgendorf@med.navy.mil
authors: Monica A
authors: MA
authors: Lutgendorf
authors: Alan
authors: A
authors: Johnson
authors: Eric R
authors: ER
authors: Terpstra
authors: Tracie C
authors: TC
authors: Snider
authors: Everett F
authors: EF
authors: Magann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D000650:Amnion; D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D020070:Cervical Ripening / Q000502:physiology; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D020073:Gravidity / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007751:Labor, Induced / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014143:Traction / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult