Experience with Foley Catheter Induction?

RunnerGirl17

Hi there, 

I'm 40 weeks now and so far no real signs labor is coming on.  I had my membranes stripped at my last appointment, felt some stronger contractions in the few days after that, but that's about it.  My OB has talked to me previously about using a Foley catheter as an induction method and I'm wondering what your experience was like with it.  What does it feel like?  Was it effective for you?  If it was effective, how soon after did you go into labor?

Thanks!

 

maplehearts

I had one at 39 weeks and 5 days for high blood pressure issues. I was only 1cm but he was able to get it in there. It was kinda uncomfortable, but honestly, I don't really rememeber it being awful. I had to go to L&D since they wanted to monitor me. The nurses didn't do anything with it, but my OB showed me how hard to pull on it. I just gave it three good tugs every 15 mins. It threw me into labor pretty quickly. It fell out at 3cm and I delivered about 12 hours after it fell out. I stalled at 4cm because of her position, but she eventually moved just enough to come on out. I also did have to have pitocin to keep things going.

I would do it again in a heartbeat! Good Luck!!

lostaspen

I was induced, starting with a foley, at 41w1d last time.  When they put it in it hurt a little, and while it was in it was just kinda weird having some strings (or whatever they were) hanging out.  I had it in overnight, and the next morning the MW gave it a tug and it came out (ouch).  Two hours later they started pit, and then 4 or 5 hours after that (and quite a bit of walking the halls), I started having noticeable contractions.  

So I guess for me it wasn't enough to put me into labor last time.  Hope it works for you though! 

FusionLMT

I had it last time. They put it in in the evening and I contracted for quite a few hours after that until it fell out on its own in the early hours of the morning. After it fell out the contractions stopped and I showed up at the hospital the next morning to finish the induction. It did get me to a 4, but DS was too high up to break my water and try to induce natural contractions (fear of cord prolapse), so they started the pitocin then. 24 hours later got a c-section for big headed baby in a bad position, so he never was putting pressure on my cervix correctly. The bulb itself was not a bad experience.