For the woman to have a Foley's catheter inserted, she usually needs to be admitted to the hospital. A doctor (or midwife) performs an internal vaginal examination to locate the opening of the cervix. If the cervix is very closed and posterior (or difficult to reach), it may not be possible to use this method for induction. In addition, because a Foley's catheter is no longer commonly used, your caregiver may be inexperienced with inserting the catheter. This may mean it takes a little while for the catheter to be successfully inserted (and the process may be uncomfortable).

Once the opening of the cervix is located, the catheter is fed into the woman's vagina and the tip is placed inside the opening of the cervix. The end of the catheter (outside the vagina) has a portal. This enables a syringe (without a needle) to administer sterile salt water up the catheter to fill the small balloon at the end of the catheter (inside the cervix). About 5 to 10 mls of water is used.


Image 4-50 shows a Foley's catheter, with the balloon inflated with sterile salt water.

The pressure placed on the inside of the cervix often causes cramping, and possibly some irregular contractions. You may need to use a heat pack (or have a shower) to help with any discomfort. If the catheter is correctly inserted, you should be able to walk around with it in place. However, you will have the end of the catheter 'hanging out' of the vagina about 20 cms. Some caregivers will strap the catheter to the woman's leg. (Occasionally, gentle tension will be placed on the catheter, before strapping it in place, to encourage the cervix to dilate). Care must be taken that excess tension does not contribute to the catheter being pulled out too early.

Ideally, after a few hours, the catheter will dilate the cervix, and eventually fall out. In some cases, labour will have started already.