Foley Bulb Induction

[luv2rn4fun]

If you were induced using the Foley bulb, what was your experience?  Did it help you go into active labor on your own or did you need further assistance?

We went in for the induction last night and so far it's going about as good as I could have hoped. I was actually contracting every 2-8 minutes, although feeling absolutely nothing.

I was able to talk to the midwife and after she checked me (I was a fingertip to 1 cm dilated and about 50% effaced- yay for progress!) she let me know that I could try the Foley bulb, which would get me to 3-4 cm. She recommended doing this and sending me home so that I could labor in a more relaxed environment.

I agreed and while in the bathroom to empty my bladder she noticed fluid on the bed (besides the blood she caused from the cervical check). She tested it and the pH came back concerning that maybe my water had broke. DH told her that I had extra leakage that morning so then she was even more concerned. They did a test and ruled it out and we were able to proceed as planned. As a funny side note, she asked when the last time we had sex (Tuesday night, so about 80+ hours before) because she saw a sperm under the microscope. For all you TTCer's...there's proof that O-3 and O-4 are possible fertile days

So we're home now and the contractions are pretty consistent and decently painful, especially if I'm lying down. I got about 4 hours of sleep and am up for now. She said the catheter should dilate within about 12 hours and we're hoping that I go into active labor sometime between then and 11:30 pm tonight when I have another induction scheduled (they will have to start pitocin if I don't make progress).

[vtdiamond]

No experience with the foley bulb. Hoping your labor picks up and you have your baby boy in your arms soon.

[anna7602]

It didn't work for me. I went from 2cm dilated to 2.5 with it, in addition to having Pitocin.

I wish I'd gone for the Cervadil, but really, I wish I hadn't been induced at all! It was not an experience I remember fondly, except for the part where I got a baby at the end.

[lolo]

I used a Foley bulb and loved it. I went from just under 1cm dilated to 4cm in 45 minutes. Apparently that is highly unusual. It still took some pumping and having my waters broken before I went into active labor.

[imimahoney]

Mine started with cytotec to get me to 1, then the Foley went in and in 3 hours I was at 5. It was painful going in but felt no pain once it was placed. Unfortunately my induction failed massively but that wasn't the foleys fault, that part worked like a charm.

[mlt]

For my first induction we started with the Foley. I got a few contractions but nothing regular and no full blown labor. Had to get pitocin for that.

[lolo]

Dec 20, 2014 11:15:49 GMT -5 mekiakoo said:

My friend just did this yesterday and it fell out. It didn't help. It was also very painful for her.

They are designed to fall out once you are dilated enough.

It was less uncomfortable than a pap for me.

[gerberdaisy]

I had it and while it worked, it was incredibly painful. I had it inserted at night after 24 hours of induction from cervadil and something else. It got me to 5 cm from a fingertip dialated and broke my water.

My doctor didn't believe I was in pain and was hesitant to give me anything , but the nurse fought to get me a dose of morphine so I could sleep.

[gerberdaisy]

I just noticed that you get to have it and go home. That sounds amazing, and would have liked it more if I wasn't stuck in a hospital bed attached to an IV and monitors

[pennylane]

I had a foley bulb during my induction after cervadil and pitocin weren't progressing me enough after 12+ hours. It hurt like a mother f-er going in, and I don't remember how long it took get dilated to a 4 but I know it took quite a few checks and the nurse putting more tension on it. Eventually though the nurse gave it a tug and it came out. After I had the bulb they still had to up pitocin, and after many hours they finally broke my water when I got to 9cm. Maybe things would have gone faster had they broke my water sooner. Overall my induction took 36 hours.

[luv2rn4fun]

Thank you ladies! Yes, it was quite painful going in and I've had decent contractions since. I'm assuming this is normal? It hasn't fallen out yet (it's been in for 9 hours). I am thankful that I was able to go home. Really hoping the rest of the induction goes smoothly.

[lolo]

Dec 20, 2014 11:43:01 GMT -5 gerberdaisy said:

I just noticed that you get to have it and go home. That sounds amazing, and would have liked it more if I wasn't stuck in a hospital bed attached to an IV and monitors

There's actually some really interesting studies taking place about going home vs. staying in hospital with a Foley bulb. I know UCSF was doing some research when I was there (but because I had pre-e, I couldn't participate since going home wasn't possible). 

[luv2rn4fun]

Dec 20, 2014 13:41:05 GMT -5 lolo said:

Dec 20, 2014 11:43:01 GMT -5 gerberdaisy said:

I just noticed that you get to have it and go home. That sounds amazing, and would have liked it more if I wasn't stuck in a hospital bed attached to an IV and monitors

There's actually some really interesting studies taking place about going home vs. staying in hospital with a Foley bulb. I know UCSF was doing some research when I was there (but because I had pre-e, I couldn't participate since going home wasn't possible). 

Interesting.  Do you care to expand?  What have they found?  Is it more favorable to go home or stay at the hospital?

[cece]

No experience, but good thoughts that the rest of your induction goes smoothly and quickly.

[asoctoberfalls]

I had a foley bulb as well. It didn't do anything for me except hurt - a lot. The insertion was actually the most painful part of my entire labor. (I don't feel bad telling you that since you already had it inserted, LOL).

[lolo]

Dec 20, 2014 13:53:01 GMT -5 luv2rn4fun said:

Dec 20, 2014 13:41:05 GMT -5 lolo said:

There's actually some really interesting studies taking place about going home vs. staying in hospital with a Foley bulb. I know UCSF was doing some research when I was there (but because I had pre-e, I couldn't participate since going home wasn't possible). 

Interesting.  Do you care to expand?  What have they found?  Is it more favorable to go home or stay at the hospital?

The study is still underway, but here's an interesting look at induction methods and c-section rates, along with some other relevant data:

contemporaryobgyn.modernmedicine.com/contemporary-obgyn/content/tags/foley-balloon/transcervical-foley-balloon?page=full