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A Foley catheter is a popular form of a bladder catheter. It is made of flexible materials, most often latex or silicone. In addition, the Foley catheter is equipped with a balloon that is filled with fluid (saline) and inserted into the bladder or cervix to keep the catheter in position. This catheter was patented in the 30s by the American surgeon Frederick Foley.
When is a Foley catheter used?
The Foley catheter is used in urology as a tool to facilitate proper urination. It is used, inter alia, during surgical procedures, during which the patient could pass urine inertly. The Foley catheter enables its discharge in such a way that it does not interfere with the proper performance of the procedure.
However, the Foley catheter is primarily used in obstetrics. In the case of prolonged labor, the use of a catheter allows for the acceleration of the opening of the cervix and thus the induction of labor. The condition for using the Foley catheter in this way is the occurrence of minimal (at least 1 cm in diameter) spontaneous dilation of the cervix. The Foley catheter is then inserted into the cervix and the balloon is filled with fluid. As a result, it presses on the cervix from the inside, leading to its gradual opening.
The use of a Foley catheter to induce labor causes a number of unpleasant sensations in women. It should be noted, however, that this tool is not dangerous to the life of a woman or a child, and the catheter itself in many cases can effectively accelerate the course of labor. In addition, the use of the Foley catheter leads to an increased release of the prostaggladin hormone, which causes, among other things, uterine contractions that facilitate childbirth.
If you wish to induce labor, a Foley catheter is usually inserted for about 24 hours. At this time, intravenous oxytocin is also administered, another of the hormones responsible for causing uterine contractions. Experts point out that it is not possible to clearly estimate how long a Foley catheter should be worn in order to induce labor. Although the effectiveness of its use is assessed highly, it should be noted that in some women it does not bring any results.
When the cervix is dilated sufficiently, the catheter has a tendency to fall out spontaneously as a result of contractions pushing it out. For this reason, it is often not necessary for doctors to remove the catheter.
How is a Foley catheter inserted?
Foley catheter insertion is performed by a doctor. It consists in placing a balloon above the cervix and then filling it with saline. During this process, the behavior of the woman’s body is monitored with cardiodocography equipment. After insertion of the catheter, the woman should spend as much time moving as possible, which can be effective in inducing labor.
Inserting a catheter does not feel pain. However, it provides unpleasant sensations, defined primarily as causing discomfort. This includes the feeling of chill, pressure, strain, stinging or burning experienced by women both while inserting the catheter and while using it.
Is the Foley catheter suitable for everyone?
The Foley catheter is assessed as safe. It is used primarily in the following situations:
- pregnancies longer than 42 weeks,
- when the mother’s health requires premature birth,
- the onset of labor contractions that are not accompanied by dilation of the cervix,
- uterine or cervical ruptures,
- when the child cannot independently travel through the cervical canal,
- when a child develops perinatal injuries.
The use of a Foley catheter is discouraged in situations where a mother preparing for delivery suffers from:
- hypertension,
- diabetes
- cholestazy,
- a small amount of amniotic fluid,
- acute infections,
- leading or low bearing,
- bleeding from the reproductive tract
- reproductive tract infections.
Also in the case of fetal hypotrophy, i.e. limitation of its growth, and marked deterioration of its condition, the use of a Foley catheter is not recommended.
The possible complications caused by the use of the Foley catheter include, in particular, the possibility of a urinary tract infection. This situation, however, occurs extremely rarely and almost exclusively in cesarean deliveries. It is also rare to cause mechanical injuries to the uterus, cervix, bladder or urethra.