OBJECTIVETo compare use of the Foley catheter for preinduction cervical ripening in an inpatient versus outpatient setting.METHODSA randomized trial was conducted from May 1998 to December 1999. Women with a term gestation in the vertex presentation, a reactive nonstress test, an amniotic fluid index above the fifth percentile, and a Bishop score of no more than 5 were included. The primary outcome variable was a change in Bishop score. A Foley catheter with a 30-mL balloon was placed through the cervix on gentle traction in each group. The outpatient group was then discharged home with written instructions and returned in the morning for induction. The inpatient group was admitted to labor and delivery, with induction started upon extrusion of the Foley.RESULTSSixty-one women were randomized into the outpatient group, and 50 women into the inpatient group. Maternal age, gravidity, previous cesarean delivery, and gestational age did not differ between the groups. The median Bishop score at entry was 3.0 for each group (P= .97). The mean change in Bishop scores after catheter placement was not different between the inpatient and outpatient groups (3.0 versus 3.0;P= .74). The maximum dose of oxytocin, time of oxytocin, epidural rate, induction time, 1-minute and 5-minute Apgar scores, and cord pH were not significantly different. The outpatient group on average avoided 9.6 hours of hospitalization. There were no adverse events or maternal morbidity in either group.CONCLUSIONSThe Foley bulb is as effective in the outpatient as the inpatient setting for preinduction cervical ripening.