What is foley induction of labor?

Induction of labor with a foley catheter is one of the effective, safe and low-cost methods of labor induction for women who have an indication for vaginal birth. Let's learn more about the foley induction of labor in the following article.

Sonde Foley is sometimes used to induce labor to activate and promote cervical dilation and increase uterine contractions. This method of labor induction is an effective, safe option for induction for many women. A Foley catheter is a device commonly used to empty the bladder. However, in this use, the balloon part of the Foley catheter will be inserted into the uterus and inflated, creating pressure on the cervix to promote the process of cervical dilation and uterine contraction.

This induction method is performed by inserting a Foley balloon through the vagina into the cervix. The balloon is placed between the amniotic sac and the lower part of the uterus (the isthmus) at the inner opening of the cervix. The balloon is then inflated with a saline solution and held in place. Foley sonde tail is glued to the pregnant woman's thigh for fixation. Usually, the Foley catheter will fall out on its own after about 3 cm of cervical dilation.

Sonde Foley can be used to induce labor in a variety of situations, including women with indications for labor induction, rather than waiting for spontaneous onset of labor, or when a woman is or is about to give birth at full term or Water breaks but no labor. This indication is applied when the fetal position is cephalic and there are no abnormalities in the position of the placenta (such as placenta previa). This method of labor induction can be used alone or in combination with other methods.
This technique is an effective stimulant alternative for pharmacological induction of labor or for those who do not wish to use these drugs.

This Foley balloon placement procedure is performed with the woman in the obstetric position. A woman's feelings about this method of stimulation will vary, depending on the state of the cervix at the time of insertion. For women who have given birth naturally, it will be easier and more effective.
Pregnant women often feel the most discomfort when placing the ball, the feeling is similar to a vaginal examination and the feeling of tightness and pain. Some people describe severe pelvic pain when the balloon is placed, but the pain usually subsides after placement. Uterine contractions and cervical dilation can begin as soon as the balloon is inflated - or it can take 12 to 24 hours for labor to begin.
Note that, unlike uterine contractions, cervical dilation is not a process that the mother can feel. So will the doctor or midwife check in periodically to see how advanced the cervix is?

The goal of this labor induction is to cause the cervix to open mechanically. Sometimes this will initiate labor spontaneously or it may simply make the cervix more favorable to the use of drugs that induce contractions or break the water.
Advantages:
This is a safe and effective procedure Non-pharmacological intervention Often leads to dilation and delivery within 24 hours Cons:
Possible failed induction of labor Pain during implementation Risk of mild complications The use of Foley balloon catheters is very effective, helping pregnant women deliver vaginally within 24 hours after insertion. There is also the benefit of using a Foley sonde that is less likely to cause heart rate changes or fetal distress than other methods of stimulation. This may be why the rate of cesarean section is lower in some combinations of use. However, the doctor may have to monitor the baby's heart rate before, during, and immediately after the procedure to see if the baby will tolerate the process, but this method is less likely to cause fetal distress. The success rate of using a Foley catheter for induction is about 70%.
The main drawback of this procedure is that it can be painful when the catheter is inserted and cannot induce labor, which may require another method of stimulation. Uncommon complications of this procedure include:
Baby moving from head-down to breech position (1.3%) Fever (3%) Abnormal fetal heart rate (2%) Pain requiring Catheter removal (1.7%) Vaginal bleeding (1.8%) Vaginal delivery after cesarean section May suggest Foley catheterization due to previous cesarean section or scarred uterus. The use of this method of stimulation for mothers desiring a vaginal delivery after a cesarean section (VBAC) is limited but may be promising. A small study of 151 patients found a vaginal delivery rate of 54%, with complications within the normal range.
The use of the Foley balloon for outpatient induction of labor has been explored in several small Australian studies of low-risk full-term pregnant women. They found that the benefits of the Foley balloon remained and there were no complications in the groups. It may be appropriate for carefully selected patients, says the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. However, this technique is often used in hospitals.
In summary, Foley induction of labor is low-risk and useful for initiating dilation and uterotonicity. Overall, the use of Foley balloon dilation is a safe and effective method of stimulation for most pregnant women. If you have any questions or concerns, discuss them with your obstetrician.