title: Foley catheter induction of labor as an outpatient procedure.
abstract: The aim of our study was to introduce outpatient induction of labor by Foley catheter, and to compare outcomes and preferences between in-patients and outpatients.
  
  
  
  This clinical cohort study was conducted in Helsinki University Hospital between January 2011 and January 2012. A total of 485 women scheduled for induction of labor by Foley catheter were included. The main outcome measures were cesarean delivery rate, and maternal and neonatal infectious morbidity. Maternal satisfaction of outpatients was measured after delivery.
  
  
  
  Two hundred and four (42.1%) women were managed as outpatients and 281 (57.9%) women as in-patients. The rates of cesarean delivery, and maternal or neonatal infections did not differ between outpatients and in-patients. Of the outpatients, 85.3% were satisfied.
  
  
  
  Induction of labor by Foley catheter appears suitable for outpatients, and resulted in no differences in cesarean delivery or infection rates compared with in-patients. Most women were satisfied with the outpatient induction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kruit
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Heikinheimo
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: V-M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Ulander
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aitokallio-Tallberg
authors.affiliation: Children's Hospital, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nupponen
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Paavonen
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rahkonen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D057785:Catheters; D020070:Cervical Ripening / Q000502:physiology; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000601:surgery; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007297:Inpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007751:Labor, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010045:Outpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000379:methods*