'Extended Balloon Catheter' Labour Induction; a Single Arm Pilot Trial'

The overall aim of the single arm pilot study was to assess the effectiveness, safety and acceptance of the \'extended balloon catheter\' as a method of induction of labour in women receiving care at Princess Marina Hospital(PMH) in Gaborone, Botswana. The main questions it aimed to answer were whether \'extended balloon catheter\' is an effective method of labour induction, whether it results in increased adverse events for the mother and baby and whether it is associated with increased mother satisfaction. Participants were assessed as having a favourable cervix using the modified Bishop score of equal to or more than 7. Three Foley balloon catheters attached side by side were inflated with 60mls each and a gentle traction of 250mls water applied. Delivery interval (time of induction to time of delivery), mode of delivery and Apgar scores were recorded. Adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes were recorded. Participants\' satisfaction with the method of induction was assessed using a descriptive scale.