Foley Induction?

roser13, ASN, RN · Jul 16, 2011

We cannot give medical advice/predictions. You will need to ask your OB/GYN as to the usual protocol.

bjaeram · Jul 16, 2011

I have never heard of a foley induction so I can't help there. However a term baby is 38-42 weeks! I wouldn't rush an induction if you don't have a medical reason to! You risk LONG labor and complications.

nrsang97, BSN, RN · Jul 16, 2011

I am not an OB nurse but I remember when I had my son in 2009 they talked something about a foley balloon to help dilate the cervix, but they never did that. (I am so glad. I was induced and had a really, really long labor).

platinum_garb · Jul 16, 2011

I have never heard of a foley induction so I can't help there. However a term baby is 38-42 weeks! I wouldn't rush an induction if you don't have a medical reason to! You risk LONG labor and complications.

Thanks. I knew I shouldn't have put my due date, haha. I'm really just interested in hearing from nurses who have experience with viewing or having this procedure. My doctors and I have valid reasoning behind going ahead with this Monday, I just am too exhausted to type everything out right now.

klone, MSN, RN · Jul 16, 2011

We don't induce women until they're at least 41-41.5 weeks unless there is medical necessity.

We can't really offer medical advice here. Since you're asking as a patient, it feels like it's straddling the line of violating TOS.

The problem with foley bulb induction is that the max the bulb can dilate a woman to is 3-4cm. So if she's not in labor at that point, it falls out and doesn't do anything more. At that point, most women are switched to pitocin.

Good luck with your experience!

platinum_garb · Jul 16, 2011

We don't induce women until they're at least 41-41.5 weeks unless there is medical necessity.
We can't really offer medical advice here. Since you're asking as a patient, it feels like it's straddling the line of violating TOS.
The problem with foley bulb induction is that the max the bulb can dilate a woman to is 3-4cm. So if she's not in labor at that point, it falls out and doesn't do anything more. At that point, most women are switched to pitocin.
Good luck with your experience!

Thanks. I figured they'd go to the Pitocin after, but I wasn't sure. That's why I came to the boards. I don't have any nurse friends who work in OB off the top of my head. A lot of the info I saw when I googles the procedure was years old, so I wanted to hear from someone who may have experienced it or assisted with it more recently. Thank you again!

MKS8806 · Jul 17, 2011

We use Foley bulbs occasionally on my unit for inductions. Basically it's like a foley catheter - but a little bit larger. Its inserted into the lady parts and past the cervix, where the balloon is inflated. Every doctor is different on the policies after this part. We have one doctor that will allow the patient's to go home with the foley in place. The gravity on the balloon puts pressure on the cervix. This can cause irritability and contracting. We leave the foley bulb in place until it falls out. This happens at 3-4 cm dilitation.

Does this help?

MKS8806 · Jul 17, 2011

Oh - and there is an area hospital close to us that uses them as well. They hang bags of fluids off the end of the foley bulb to cause increased pressure!! We don't do that :)

klone, MSN, RN · Jul 17, 2011

Oh - and there is an area hospital close to us that uses them as well. They hang bags of fluids off the end of the foley bulb to cause increased pressure!! We don't do that :)

We will apply gentle traction by taping it to the leg. Every so often, the RN will check and retape it.

0402 · Jul 17, 2011

I personally had this done with my first kid. The hospital I was at did use a bag of saline for weight on the end. I can't remember how long it took until the bulb fell out, but in my case, I did not need any pitocin once the bulb fell out- I progressed on my own. I was 0-1cm when I came in, and it was about 19 hrs from the time they started until I delivered. I was 39 weeks at the time and being induced for medical reasons.

platinum_garb · Jul 18, 2011

We use Foley bulbs occasionally on my unit for inductions. Basically it's like a foley catheter - but a little bit larger. Its inserted into the lady parts and past the cervix, where the balloon is inflated. Every doctor is different on the policies after this part. We have one doctor that will allow the patient's to go home with the foley in place. The gravity on the balloon puts pressure on the cervix. This can cause irritability and contracting. We leave the foley bulb in place until it falls out. This happens at 3-4 cm dilitation.
Does this help?

yay! Thank you. I was curious about whether I might be sent back home if it doesn't 'work' right away. Thanks for your answer.