Patient Satisfaction During Outpatient Versus Inpatient Foley Catheter Induction of Labor

NCT ID: NCT02975167

Last Updated: 2025-07-23

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

94 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2016-11-30

Study Completion Date

2025-01-29

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

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.

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

Labor induction is one of the most common obstetric procedures performed in the U.S. In 2013, the last year for which data is available, 23.1% of all deliveries were the result of inductions. Labor induction often first requires cervical ripening, which can be accomplished by several different methods.

Pharmacologic cervical ripening approaches include vaginal or oral prostaglandin administration. Mechanical cervical ripening methods include osmotic dilators such as laminaria, and transcervical Foley catheters with or without extra amniotic saline infusion. The ideal cervical ripening tool is effective, safe for both mother and fetus, incurs low cost, does not require extensive monitoring, and causes minimal maternal discomfort.

Several recent meta-analyses have demonstrated both the safety and efficacy of the Foley catheter for pre-induction cervical ripening. When compared to prostaglandins, studies have shown that use of the transcervical Foley catheter for pre-induction cervical ripening results in either shortened or no statistically significant difference in vaginal delivery rates at 24 hours. No studies have demonstrated longer duration to vaginal delivery and cesarean delivery rates are equivalent. In addition, women with Foley catheters experience less uterine hyper-stimulation resulting in fetal heart rate changes as compared to those who receive prostaglandins. Other than one study suggesting increased risks of chorioamnionitis and neonatal infection, the vast majority of research suggests Foley catheters are overwhelming safe with little risk of severe maternal or neonatal morbidity.

Due to its safety profile and the ongoing desire to reduce healthcare costs, many institutions have initiated outpatient cervical ripening protocols. Studies suggest that outpatient cervical ripening with transcervical Foley catheter is both safe and effective. In addition, some studies demonstrate women who underwent outpatient cervical ripening spent less time in the hospital during their labor induction, sometimes resulting in significant cost savings at those institutions. The combination of safety, ease of use and cost savings potential make outpatient cervical ripening with a Foley catheter an appealing tool for both clinicians and patients. However, data on patient satisfaction with almost all methods of cervical ripening is sparse. Existing data on patient satisfaction of outpatient versus inpatient induction of labor stems from prior studies which used vaginal misoprostol gel or isosorbide mononitrate as induction agents. While one study suggests overall satisfaction with outpatient Foley catheter cervical ripening, a randomized controlled trial on this topic has yet to be performed.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Induction of Labor Affected Fetus / Newborn Cervical Ripening Patient Satisfaction

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

OTHER

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

Inpatient

Subjects randomized to this group will receive the same intervention as the outpatient group -- cervical ripening with Foley catheter -- but remain within the hospital. Subjects will be asked to complete a survey assessing their fears, opinions, anxiety, satisfaction and hours of sleep before and after the catheter is placed and removed, respectively.

The intervention: randomization to inpatient cervical ripening

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Inpatient Cervical Ripening

Intervention Type OTHER

Once randomized to this group, subjects will complete a survey assessing their attitudes, fears, anxiety, satisfaction and expected hours of sleep with inpatient induction of labor. Following placement of the Foley catheter, the subjects will undergo normal labor monitoring until their Foley catheter either falls out or is removed at 24 hours. At this time subjects will complete another survey assessing their satisfaction with their induction process.

Foley catheter placement

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Subjects randomized to both the inpatient and the outpatient arms will receive this intervention following completion of a survey. A Bard(TM) 16G two-way 5cc silicone-coated latex Foley catheter will be placed by a physician-member of the research team using a sterile metal speculum and ring forceps, or by hand, depending on physician preference. Once placed within the cervical canal, the Foley will be filled with 60cc of saline

Pre-Foley Questionnaire

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Prior to randomization into inpatient or outpatient arms, all subjects will complete a questionnaire assessing their attitudes, opinions, fears and anxiety regarding induction of labor.

Post-Foley Questionnaire

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Following removal of the Foley catheter (either by a physician at 24 hours or spontaneously), all subjects will complete the same questionnaire as prior assessing their attitudes, opinions, fears and anxiety regarding their induction of labor.

Fetal Non-Stress Test

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Following placement of the Foley catheter, all subjects, regardless of arm they are randomized to, will undergo a 20-minute NST. The NST will be read by a physician-member of the research team. If the NST is considered to be suspicious based on the physician's evaluation, subjects randomized to the outpatient arm will be moved to the inpatient arm, but evaluated as part of the outpatient arm on an intent-to-treat basis. All subjects randomized to the inpatient arm will be placed on continuous fetal heart rate monitoring, regardless of physician evaluation of the NST.

Outpatient

Subjects randomized to this group will receive the same intervention as the inpatient group -- cervical ripening with Foley catheter -- but will be discharged home. Subjects will be asked to return to the hospital when the catheter falls out or if 24 hours has elapsed. They will be given detailed instructions and provided a 24 hour phone number to call should they have any concerns. Subjects will be asked to complete a survey assessing their fears, opinions, anxiety, satisfaction and hours of sleep before and after the catheter is placed and removed, respectively.

The intervention: randomization to outpatient cervical ripening

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Outpatient Cervical Ripening

Intervention Type OTHER

The experimental arm of the study will be subjects randomized to the outpatient group. Once randomized, subjects will complete a survey assessing their attitudes, fears, anxiety, satisfaction and expected hours of sleep with outpatient induction of labor. Following placement of the Foley catheter, the subjects will be given detailed instructions for which to return to the hospital, as well as provided a 24 hour phone number to call if they have questions. They will be instructed to return to the hospital once the catheter falls out or if 24 hours has passed since its placement. Upon returning to the hospital, subjects will complete another survey assessing their satisfaction with their induction process.

Foley catheter placement

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Subjects randomized to both the inpatient and the outpatient arms will receive this intervention following completion of a survey. A Bard(TM) 16G two-way 5cc silicone-coated latex Foley catheter will be placed by a physician-member of the research team using a sterile metal speculum and ring forceps, or by hand, depending on physician preference. Once placed within the cervical canal, the Foley will be filled with 60cc of saline

Pre-Foley Questionnaire

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Prior to randomization into inpatient or outpatient arms, all subjects will complete a questionnaire assessing their attitudes, opinions, fears and anxiety regarding induction of labor.

Post-Foley Questionnaire

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Following removal of the Foley catheter (either by a physician at 24 hours or spontaneously), all subjects will complete the same questionnaire as prior assessing their attitudes, opinions, fears and anxiety regarding their induction of labor.

Fetal Non-Stress Test

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Following placement of the Foley catheter, all subjects, regardless of arm they are randomized to, will undergo a 20-minute NST. The NST will be read by a physician-member of the research team. If the NST is considered to be suspicious based on the physician's evaluation, subjects randomized to the outpatient arm will be moved to the inpatient arm, but evaluated as part of the outpatient arm on an intent-to-treat basis. All subjects randomized to the inpatient arm will be placed on continuous fetal heart rate monitoring, regardless of physician evaluation of the NST.

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Outpatient Cervical Ripening

The experimental arm of the study will be subjects randomized to the outpatient group. Once randomized, subjects will complete a survey assessing their attitudes, fears, anxiety, satisfaction and expected hours of sleep with outpatient induction of labor. Following placement of the Foley catheter, the subjects will be given detailed instructions for which to return to the hospital, as well as provided a 24 hour phone number to call if they have questions. They will be instructed to return to the hospital once the catheter falls out or if 24 hours has passed since its placement. Upon returning to the hospital, subjects will complete another survey assessing their satisfaction with their induction process.

Intervention Type OTHER

Inpatient Cervical Ripening

Once randomized to this group, subjects will complete a survey assessing their attitudes, fears, anxiety, satisfaction and expected hours of sleep with inpatient induction of labor. Following placement of the Foley catheter, the subjects will undergo normal labor monitoring until their Foley catheter either falls out or is removed at 24 hours. At this time subjects will complete another survey assessing their satisfaction with their induction process.

Intervention Type OTHER

Foley catheter placement

Subjects randomized to both the inpatient and the outpatient arms will receive this intervention following completion of a survey. A Bard(TM) 16G two-way 5cc silicone-coated latex Foley catheter will be placed by a physician-member of the research team using a sterile metal speculum and ring forceps, or by hand, depending on physician preference. Once placed within the cervical canal, the Foley will be filled with 60cc of saline

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Pre-Foley Questionnaire

Prior to randomization into inpatient or outpatient arms, all subjects will complete a questionnaire assessing their attitudes, opinions, fears and anxiety regarding induction of labor.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Post-Foley Questionnaire

Following removal of the Foley catheter (either by a physician at 24 hours or spontaneously), all subjects will complete the same questionnaire as prior assessing their attitudes, opinions, fears and anxiety regarding their induction of labor.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Fetal Non-Stress Test

Following placement of the Foley catheter, all subjects, regardless of arm they are randomized to, will undergo a 20-minute NST. The NST will be read by a physician-member of the research team. If the NST is considered to be suspicious based on the physician's evaluation, subjects randomized to the outpatient arm will be moved to the inpatient arm, but evaluated as part of the outpatient arm on an intent-to-treat basis. All subjects randomized to the inpatient arm will be placed on continuous fetal heart rate monitoring, regardless of physician evaluation of the NST.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Other Intervention Names

Discover alternative or legacy names that may be used to describe the listed interventions across different sources.

randomization to outpatient cervical ripening Randomization to inpatient cervical ripening

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

* \> 18 yo
* Singleton pregnancy
* ≥ 39 weeks gestation
* Vertex presenting fetus

Exclusion Criteria

* \< 18 years of age
* Maternal cardiac disease
* Class C diabetes mellitus or worse (as defined by the White classification system for diabetes in pregnancy)
* Gestational or chronic hypertension
* Active or history of venous thromboembolic disease requiring chemical anticoagulation
* Bleeding disorders
* History of placental abruption during current gestation
* Fetal anomalies
* Intrauterine growth restriction \< 5th percentile
* Prior uterine scar
* Vasa or placenta previa
* Active genital herpes
* Non-vertex fetal lie
* Amniotic fluid index (AFI) \< 5cm
* Multiple gestation
* (Pre)eclampsia
* Latex allergy
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

MemorialCare Health System

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

Vineet Shrivastava

Maternal Fetal Medine Attending

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Learn about the lead researchers overseeing the trial and their institutional affiliations.

Vineet Shrivastava, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Faculty

Locations

Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.

Miller Women's and Children's Hospital Long Beach

Long Beach, California, United States

Site Status

Countries

Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.

United States

References

Explore related publications, articles, or registry entries linked to this study.

Martin JA, Hamilton BE, Osterman MJ, Curtin SC, Matthews TJ. Births: final data for 2013. Natl Vital Stat Rep. 2015 Jan 15;64(1):1-65.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 25603115 (View on PubMed)

Gelber S, Sciscione A. Mechanical methods of cervical ripening and labor induction. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2006 Sep;49(3):642-57. doi: 10.1097/00003081-200609000-00022.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 16885669 (View on PubMed)

Jozwiak M, Bloemenkamp KW, Kelly AJ, Mol BW, Irion O, Boulvain M. Mechanical methods for induction of labour. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 Mar 14;(3):CD001233. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD001233.pub2.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 22419277 (View on PubMed)

Jozwiak M, ten Eikelder M, Oude Rengerink K, de Groot C, Feitsma H, Spaanderman M, van Pampus M, de Leeuw JW, Mol BW, Bloemenkamp K; PROBAAT Study Group. Foley catheter versus vaginal misoprostol: randomized controlled trial (PROBAAT-M study) and systematic review and meta-analysis of literature. Am J Perinatol. 2014 Feb;31(2):145-56. doi: 10.1055/s-0033-1341573. Epub 2013 Apr 5.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 23564065 (View on PubMed)

Kandil M, Emarh M, Sayyed T, Masood A. Foley catheter versus intra-vaginal misoprostol for induction of labor in post-term gestations. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2012 Aug;286(2):303-7. doi: 10.1007/s00404-012-2292-8. Epub 2012 Mar 21.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 22434058 (View on PubMed)

Sciscione AC, McCullough H, Manley JS, Shlossman PA, Pollock M, Colmorgen GH. A prospective, randomized comparison of Foley catheter insertion versus intracervical prostaglandin E2 gel for preinduction cervical ripening. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1999 Jan;180(1 Pt 1):55-60. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9378(99)70149-3.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 9914578 (View on PubMed)

Heinemann J, Gillen G, Sanchez-Ramos L, Kaunitz AM. Do mechanical methods of cervical ripening increase infectious morbidity? A systematic review. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2008 Aug;199(2):177-87; discussion 187-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2008.05.005.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 18674661 (View on PubMed)

McMaster K, Sanchez-Ramos L, Kaunitz AM. Evaluation of a Transcervical Foley Catheter as a Source of Infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Obstet Gynecol. 2015 Sep;126(3):539-551. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000001002.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 26244535 (View on PubMed)

Maslovitz S, Lessing JB, Many A. Complications of trans-cervical Foley catheter for labor induction among 1,083 women. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2010 Mar;281(3):473-7. doi: 10.1007/s00404-009-1136-7. Epub 2009 Jun 2.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 19488776 (View on PubMed)

Sciscione AC, Bedder CL, Hoffman MK, Ruhstaller K, Shlossman PA. The timing of adverse events with Foley catheter preinduction cervical ripening; implications for outpatient use. Am J Perinatol. 2014 Oct;31(9):781-6. doi: 10.1055/s-0033-1359718. Epub 2013 Dec 17.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 24347259 (View on PubMed)

McKenna DS, Duke JM. Effectiveness and infectious morbidity of outpatient cervical ripening with a Foley catheter. J Reprod Med. 2004 Jan;49(1):28-32.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 14976792 (View on PubMed)

Kelly AJ, Alfirevic Z, Ghosh A. Outpatient versus inpatient induction of labour for improving birth outcomes. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Nov 12;(11):CD007372. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007372.pub3.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 24222365 (View on PubMed)

Alfirevic Z, Gyte GM, Nogueira Pileggi V, Plachcinski R, Osoti AO, Finucane EM. Home versus inpatient induction of labour for improving birth outcomes. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020 Aug 27;8(8):CD007372. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007372.pub4.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 32852803 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

630-15

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

More Related Trials

Additional clinical trials that may be relevant based on similarity analysis.

Foley Catheter Induction
NCT05257187 WITHDRAWN NA