The rate of obesity increases continuously in France as in many developing countries.The risk
of cesarean delivery is increased in obese compared to normal-weight women and postpartum
complications as infections, thromboembolic events and related maternal death, are more
common among obese women who deliver by cesarean than both normal-weight women with caesarean
deliveries and obese women with vaginal deliveries. Unfortunately, obesity is associated with
a higher rate of failed induction requiring a cesarean delivery and especially in
nulliparous.
Methods of induction for obese women have to be improved to decrease the c-section rate but
investigators should also be cautious on the type and dose of PG not to affect the neonatal
wellbeing associated with uterine hyperstimulation.
The aim of this study is to demonstrate the efficacy of the association of mechanical and
pharmacological cervical ripening (balloon catheter plus 50 µg oral prostaglandin E1) versus
pharmacological cervical ripening alone (50 µg oral prostaglandin E1) to reduce the rate of
caesarean sections in nulliparous obese women.