Fetomaternal Outcome of Intracervical Catheterization as a Method of Induction of Labour at Term in Pregnant Women

Background: Mechanical induction of labor using an intracervical Foley catheter remains a widely adopted strategy, particularly in low-resource settings. While it is considered effective for cervical ripening, its impact on fetomaternal outcomes varies across populations and clinical contexts. Understanding the pattern of associated complications can inform safer obstetric practice. Objective: To determine the frequency of fetomaternal outcome in patients with intracervical catheterization as a method of induction of labour. Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Duration and Place of Study: Conducted from October 2024 to April 2025 at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar. Methodology: A total of 100 pregnant women aged 18–35 years with singleton cephalic pregnancies beyond 37 weeks and a Bishop score <6 were enrolled using non-probability consecutive sampling. Labour was induced using an 18 French Foley catheter, with continuous traction and regular monitoring until expulsion. Maternal outcomes assessed included chorioamnionitis and postpartum hemorrhage (PPH); neonatal outcomes included NICU admission, low Apgar score, and meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS). Results: The mean age of participants was 29.21 ± 3.29 years, with a mean gestational age of 39.54 ± 1.09 weeks and mean BMI of 25.74 ± 2.43 kg/m². Chorioamnionitis occurred in 12.0% of cases, PPH in 20.0%, NICU admission in 35.0%, low Apgar scores in 25.0%, and MAS in 19.0%. NICU admissions were significantly higher among women aged ≤30 years (42.2% vs. 22.2%, p=0.045), and low Apgar scores were significantly more frequent in rural residents compared to urban (36.2% vs. 15.1%, p=0.015). Conclusion: Intracervical Foley catheterization is a viable induction method, though certain complications such as NICU admissions and low Apgar scores are more common in specific demographic groups.