A common association made when someone hears the word “catheter” is usually related to the bladder or urine incontinence. This is a fair association to make as catheters are a popular form of treatment for those who suffer from bladder problems or the inability to use a standard toilet. Many hospitals use catheters on patients during surgery and other medical procedures related to the lower urinary tract. However, very few people think of childbirth when they think of catheters even though the two are connected.

Not as common of a procedure as it once was, a Foley catheter can be used to induce childbirth in women.  Labor induction is usually done if the female is past her delivery date or if she is suffering from other complications that could be remedied from childbirth.

When inducing labor with a Foley catheter, a health care professional inserts the catheter with attached balloon into the cervix. The doctor then inflates the balloon with a saline solution. This inflation applies pressure to the cervix which results in the body releasing a hormone called prostaglandins. This hormone is what makes the cervix dilate and contractions begin. Both of which are necessary during childbirth. Once the cervix is dilated the balloon and catheter will or at least should fall out, though the doctor may have to assist by pulling.

Inducing labor with a Foley catheter does not always work as soon as the saline solution is put in the balloon. Sometimes the health professional may have to weights in the form or tug the catheter a few times per hour to apply more pressure to the cervix. If the catheter does not induce labor on its own it does help to prepare the cervix for other forms of induction such as drugs or amniotomy.

The level of discomfort and pain with Foley catheter labor induction varies from female to female. Many women claim there is a slight pain when the catheter is first inserted but once the catheter was in there was no pain at all. There have been some reports of women experiencing greater pain with the catheter is moved. This may be due to the size of the cervix dilation.

In conclusion, Foley catheters serve other purposes aside from a treatment for urinary incontinence. Though it is an old method, labor induction by stimulating the cervix with a Foley catheter is still used today with a decent success rate.