Foley Induction?

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Can anyone share some knowledge regarding using the Foley induction method? If the baby doesn't come of his own accord over the weekend, doc says I'll go into the hospital Monday night and we'll start with the catheter. In your experiences working L&D does that mean I'll stay through til the end or is it possible they'll send me home and have to come back?

Thanks,

Georgia, LPN

Specializes in corrections, MH, geriatrics.
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.

I definitely hope my experience will be similar to yours. Thank you for sharing it with me...makes me feel better!

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Specializes in corrections, MH, geriatrics.
We cannot give medical advice/predictions. You will need to ask your OB/GYN as to the usual protocol.[/

Fortunately, other nurses did, and for that I am grateful.

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Hi-

I had this done with my first at 41 + 5.

My midwife did it in her office, and sent me home with it taped to my leg. It fell out in a few hours, (I walked a lot, gravity and all) and I was about 3-4 cm dilated at that point.

Hopefully you'll progress naturally at that point. Good luck!

It feels a little weird, but I'd do it again!

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Specializes in L&D.

I was just looking this up the other day! I haven't seen this used on my L&D unit and was wondering why not (plenty of pit inductions on unripe cervices, but at least they have to wait til 39 wks now, but that's another story). I also can't find a basic 'how-to' (not for me to do it obviously, but just to see how it works) or any negative side effects (in theory, seems like r/f infection for sure or possible cervical tearing could be increased).

Excuse my ignorance, but the foley tubing is inserted through the cervix (which then must be dilated at least terussome?)the u and into , the bulb is inflated more than we would if it was being used to cath a bladder, and the pressure causes dilation from the top. Memranes don't have to be ruptured. Right? Seems like a good way to get a cervix to ripen at least, IMO, but would want to monitor temps, etc.

More info, please! I am curious.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

Ischial - yes, you have it correct. However, it doesn't ripen the cervix, it manually dilates it (are you familiar with laminaria? Same concept). Basically, it forces the cervix open. Generally, it's filled with 30-40ml of saline, and rule of thumb is every 10 ml of saline that's inflated into the bulb equals one cm.

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Specializes in L&D.

I was talking about it today with other nurses and the general response is that it can be pretty hurty (not to scare the OP!). Not sure the hurt factor vs. pitting to start labor. And I suppose it can be manually dilated without getting ripe, therefore still not necessarily making labor happen. thanks!!

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Cook Medical equipment makes a balloon catheter for induction: http://www.cookmedical.com/wh/datasheetFeature.do?id=4486

You can read their literature for more information on how the foley bulp induction process, and it has illustrations. The cheaper way to do this is using a 30 cc foley catheter, which is more common. Sometimes I've seen this used with pitocin, or before pitocin. It does work.

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