Foley bulb?

am0138 · January 2014

I've been noticing in several birth stories that a foley bulb has been inserted to induce labor/open the cervix. I just searched on google for more info on it, but I was hoping some of you have first hand experience with this and can share your thoughts...my doc only mentioned induction via pitocin.

MamaP19 · January 2014

It's used by some people as a way to "jump start" labor without any drugs. I had it with DD. It made me have a lot of cramps and came out about 12 hours after being placed, usually when you are 3-4 cm dilated. That's all it did for me, so I started Pitocin soon after. Not sure that I would use it again because it was extremely uncomfortable to place, though I know that is not everyone's experience.

ScarlettDahlia · January 2014

For me, they started with cervidil. When that didn't really work, they did cytotec. After two rounds of that, they started the pitocin. I was having contractions all night and had very little progress. So my doctor thought the Foley might help.

Insertion was a little uncomfortable. They filled it up. Then when the contractions kicked in again, it sucked. They said it could be left in for up to 12 hours. Every hour, the nurse came in and pulled it down a little. When the Dr came to check 6 hours later, it had gotten past my cervix.

For me, it seems like it really helped things progress. I shudder to think how long I would have been there had they not used the Foley bulb.

Sweetiejules12 · January 2014

It's a mechanical induction. Just like a Foley catheter has a ballon Inflated with water to keep in place, a foley bulb does the same. It's placed with more fluid and it mechanically dialates the cervix vs the cytotec or cervadil. It works great and falls out when your cervix is 3-4 cm. From what I hear its painful though and uncomfortable, but works. Sometimes the drugs only start things and then fail resulting in a csection.

am0138 · January 2014

Would it usually be inserted so early on that you wouldn't have an epidural to cut out the pain/discomfort?

ScarlettDahlia · January 2014

am0138 said:
Would it usually be inserted so early on that you wouldn't have an epidural to cut out the pain/discomfort?

I didn't have an epidural when I got it inserted. But like 5 minutes after, I asked for one. I don't think there is a timeframe for how early you can get the epidural.

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