A Foley catheter for opening the cervix is often used for artificial stimulation of labor. It is a popular medical device, which, in fact, is a tube with a spray can.
Application practice
The Foley catheter for opening the neck was actively used in medical institutions several decades ago. Today its popularity is declining. Nowadays, modern doctors are increasingly less likely to use it during childbirth. The fact is that in recent years there have been many other techniques that have established themselves as more effective and efficient.
However, in some cases it is used today. A Foley catheter for opening the cervix is administered only in a hospital setting. One cannot do without professional knowledge and skills. Of course, there are women in labor who insert this device on their own at home. However, you must remember that in the first place such initiative is dangerous to save the life of your child.
What are these cases when this catheter will help the baby?
Types of Catheters
The Foley catheter is a straightforward medical device consisting of a tube and a can. Due to its smooth surface, it is installed without pain and problems, although unpleasant sensations, most likely, cannot be avoided.
At the same time, such a smooth surface eliminates the possibility of the growth of bacteria and undesirable organic substances. These microorganisms simply have nothing to cling to.
The most common Foley catheter for opening the cervix consists of a balloon, which, symmetrically inflating, ensures tight fixation. A plastic valve is installed at the inlet through which a solution enters the woman's body. The valve closes tightly with a special spring. This system eliminates the possibility of deflation.
The catheter also includes a cylindrical tip and connector. The latter looks like a funnel, very durable, it is impossible to twist. All this provides a high-quality connection of the device with the cervix, as long as possible.
The manufacturer paid attention to the packaging of the device. You can get it, once again without touching it, which ensures sterility and minimal risk of various infections.
Be sure to read the instructions beforehand, but not in order to use the device yourself, but in order for you to be more calm about the procedure, knowing exactly what the doctor will do at each stage.
Catheter Dimensions
A Foley catheter for opening the cervix is classified by size. Which one is right for you is easy to determine using the color of the branch, which is used to inflate the balloon. With it, the doctor determines which Foley catheter is needed for you. Dimensions, table with appropriate parameters are available to obstetricians.
The most popular device is a two-way catheter No. 18. However, the doctor can choose another tool - it all depends on the individual characteristics of the female body. The main thing is not to do it yourself.
Varieties of Catheters
In order to determine which catheter is necessary, the doctor needs to perform a thorough examination of the cervix of the woman in labor.
The most popular Foley catheter 2 way is considered a classic obstetrics. Its main difference is the presence of only one channel. It includes both injection and the introduction of drug solutions into the main balloon. The choice of material depends on the joint decision of the obstetrician and the mother in childbirth, however, experts strongly advise using silicone. It has a number of undeniable advantages.
Firstly, it is a chemical inertness, as well as thermal stability. Secondly, hydrophobic properties, lack of surface tension. And most importantly, compatibility with all body tissues and eliminating the risk of adverse reactions. Including allergic.
True, this catheter also has a significant drawback. This is its significant high cost. Other similar medical devices are much cheaper.
Three way catheter
Experienced obstetricians in difficult cases are advised to opt for another medical instrument. Use a three-way Foley catheter to open the cervix.
In this case, a separate channel is used, which greatly facilitates the work of the doctor and the course of the birth process. Through this channel, special medications are introduced into the cervix that can significantly facilitate the course of labor.
Female catheter
Another popular medical device is a female catheter. Its length is not as long as that of the previous samples. Due to this, the risk of causing a woman in childbirth is minimal. When there is a serious danger of organ damage, the preparation of the cervix for childbirth is carried out using this particular catheter.
Be sure to consult a specialist when choosing a catheter before giving birth. If you decide to purchase it yourself, then you risk getting a device that will not have any effect on the stimulation of the cervix. In extreme cases, it is likely to cause injuries to both the baby and his mother.
Indications for use
If labor activity is not observed within the time allotted by the doctors, the stimulation of labor begins with a Foley catheter. The decision is made by the doctor. The medical indications for this measure are as follows.
Pregnancy lasted 10 days or more, the mother has serious cardiological diseases, as well as a number of other health problems - diabetes, gestosis.
Also, the preparation of the cervix for childbirth with the help of the Foley catheter begins when the woman in labor is exhausted, the cervix is still not open, although childbirth has already begun. Weak labor is observed, too large a fetus, polyhydramnios, premature discharge of amniotic fluid.
In the case when other methods of stimulating labor are contraindicated in the childbirth, the doctor decides to insert a Foley catheter. After this, childbirth should be more successful, the cervix should open.
Contraindications
However, not all women in labor are recommended this catheter; there are a number of contraindications. They are mainly associated with diseases.
This is any vaginal infection, as well as rupture of the fruit bladder.
Danger can also occur with cervitis or vaginitis. Do not use a Foley catheter for prenatal internal bleeding or low placenta previa.
In all of the above cases, a catheter can only complicate the course of labor. One should especially fear the risk of fetal infection, so obstetricians use other methods to stimulate the opening of the cervix.
How is the procedure going?
Awareness will best protect you from unnecessary unrest. Therefore, if you know that you will be injected with a Foley catheter, the instructions for use should be carefully studied. So you will clearly know what your doctor does at each stage.
Usually this procedure does not take much time. The biggest disadvantage is severe pain during administration and discomfort experienced because of this. If the doctor does not perform the procedure for the first time, then the installation of the catheter will be very fast.
First of all, the obstetrician evaluates all the indications and contraindications for this procedure. The surface of the vagina is treated with a disinfecting solution. Special sterile mirrors are mounted.
Holding the catheter with a clamp, the obstetrician guides it into the cervix. The main thing at this time is to place an inflatable balloon above the internal pharynx.
Next, a 10 milliliter syringe is taken, with its help the balloon is inflated to the desired size. This is the principle of action of the catheter. A cylinder of water increases the tone and motility of the uterus of the woman in childbirth, he presses on it and bursts.
An even more effective method if the doctor at the same time injects saline into the fetal bladder through a special tube.
On a special tape, a catheter is attached from the inside of the thigh. At this time, the remaining tube is folded in a ring and placed in the vagina until the contractions begin. But not more than a day. If these measures did not help, then labor should be stimulated with oxytocin.
If contractions have begun, the Foley catheter (instructions for use insists on this) must be removed. Call a doctor right away. He will put a special syringe in the bottle and with his help draw out all the liquid. After the tube is clamped with a special clamp and gets out of the vagina. Be sure to entrust this action to the medical worker, removing the catheter yourself, you can pour water or saline into the vagina. This is likely to provoke an infection.
It is worth remembering that the Foley catheter is significantly different from a conventional urinary instrument. They are used in a similar way, but in the case of a catheter, the outcome of labor may depend on proper operation.
As a rule, they don’t lie at home with such a device, but only in a hospital ward, when the birth is about to begin. However, even being surrounded by medical personnel, knowing how to use and care for the catheter will not hurt.
Catheter Care
Before placing a catheter, any doctor must explain how to live with the patient for the next few hours. Detailed information is also in the instructions, it describes in detail how to use the Foley catheter. The sizes, a table by which you can choose the optimal one, are also there.
In order to avoid complications, you need to carefully monitor all the time for the instrument. Follow the rules of care for everyone.
The catheter itself and the skin around it need to be proliferated. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. The risk of infection is very high. At the same time, remember that you cannot wash the area directly around the tube of the device.
Make sure that the catheter balloon does not drop out ahead of time. Wear spacious underwear, best cotton, which will not restrict movement. Do not allow the pipe to bend or contract.
If a woman in labor begins to experience discomfort with a catheter, for example, burning, chills, abdominal and back pain, you should immediately inform your doctor.
Possible complications
When using a catheter, certain problems may arise. Here are the most common ones.
Most often, complications arise due to the fact that the spray drops out of the vagina ahead of time. In this case, the desired effect is not achieved. With this development of events, the device is replaced, or a fundamentally different method is used.
There are cylinders that leak. This means that the integrity of the valve is impaired. The device must be replaced.
The spray is inside when labor has already begun. The catheter must be urgently removed by the help of medical personnel.
A woman in labor experiences severe pain when a catheter is inserted. It can be neutralized with painkillers.
Reviews
Today this device is rarely used. There are more effective and risky methods. But if you still use this particular device, you should not worry. In a hospital, nothing threatens you. An experienced doctor will easily perform the procedure using a Foley catheter. Reviews that come from patients should reassure expectant mothers.
Most patients note that due to this medical device, childbirth was possible to call after a maximum of 12 hours. As a rule, stimulation of labor is prescribed when all the periods of labor have passed. Usually at 38-39 weeks.
True, it is not always possible to achieve the desired result. In some cases, the contractions caused by the catheter weaken, or may even disappear. In this case, you have to resort to surgery.