Foley Bulb for Labor: Pros, Cons & What It Felt Like

Foley Bulb for Labor: Pros, Cons & What It Felt Like

When I was 39 weeks pregnant with my first baby, I agreed to an induction at my OB/GYN’s suggestion—even though I wasn’t dilated or effaced at all. I wanted to trust the process and assumed this was a normal step toward meeting my baby. They started with two rounds of Cytotec placed in my cheek, and once I reached 2 cm, they inserted a Foley bulb.

That’s when things got intense.

If you haven’t read my blog on the risks of Cytotec and how that part of my labor unfolded, you can check it out in my blog here: The Truth About Cytotec for Induction (From a Mom Who’s Been There)

This post is specifically about the Foley bulb—what it is, how it works, when it might help, and when it might not be the right fit. I’m not here to bash interventions—I just wish someone had given me more information before I said “yes.”

What Is a Foley Bulb?

A Foley bulb (or Foley catheter) is a small, flexible tube with a balloon on the end. It’s inserted through the cervix, and once it’s in place, the balloon is filled with sterile fluid to help gently stretch the cervix open.¹ This physical pressure can encourage dilation and sometimes trigger contractions.

It’s considered a mechanical induction method—meaning it doesn’t involve medication. Some hospitals use it alone, and others use it alongside things like Cytotec or Pitocin.

It can be helpful. But it’s not always gentle—and definitely not always pain-free.

My Experience With the Foley Bulb

After two rounds of Cytotec got me to 2 cm, my provider placed the Foley bulb. At that point, my body still wasn’t contracting on its own. I hadn’t gone into labor naturally. So when the bulb started doing its job, the contractions it triggered were incredibly intense. It felt like my body was being forced into something it wasn’t ready for.

I started shaking. The contractions were strong, stacked, and painful. When the bulb fell out around 6 cm, I was already well into the epidural I had begged for. My labor hadn’t started naturally, and the cascade of interventions just kept going. I ultimately had a C-section.

It wasn’t until I began researching for my second birth—an unmedicated VBAC—that I learned how birth unfolds when the body is truly ready. I learned about the role of hormones, the natural opening of the cervix, and how different the process can feel when your body takes the lead.

If you’re curious about how your body naturally goes into labor and what to expect from early labor to delivery, I’m writing a blog just for that that will be out soon!

Foley Bulb Pros & Cons

Here are some reasons the Foley bulb might be offered:

• It doesn’t involve medication, which may reduce the risk of uterine overstimulation¹

• It’s considered lower risk for VBAC compared to some medications²

• It can be useful if your cervix is already soft or a little dilated

• It usually falls out once you reach 4–6 cm, which can be a sign of progress

But there are also downsides to understand:

• It can cause extremely painful contractions, especially if the body isn’t laboring naturally³

• It doesn’t work well if your cervix is totally closed or unripe⁴

• You may still need additional medications like Pitocin or more cervical ripeners

• It can kickstart contractions before your hormones and nervous system are fully aligned

In short: The Foley bulb isn’t always the problem—but the timing of when it’s used really matters.

When It Might Be More Helpful

Some women have a good experience with the Foley bulb—especially if their body is already showing signs of readiness. If you’re having some natural contractions, are softening or effacing on your own, and your cervix is already slightly dilated, it might give your body a gentle nudge forward.⁵

But if nothing is happening yet—no contractions, no dilation—it might feel like being shoved into labor before your body’s had a chance to get ready.

Other Options to Consider

Just like with any intervention, you have the right to ask questions and consider alternatives. Some other methods include:

• Waiting for spontaneous labor: If mom and baby are healthy, this is often the safest and most physiologic option⁶

• Membrane sweeping: A manual technique that may release prostaglandins and help labor begin naturally

• Artificial rupture of membranes (AROM): Breaking your water (when appropriate) to encourage progression

• Natural labor encouragers:

• Red raspberry leaf tea

• Walking or curb-walking

• Acupuncture

• Sex and nipple stimulation (hello, oxytocin)

• Castor oil or midwife’s brew (only with supervision)

You Deserve a Full Picture

I’m not anti-intervention. I’m pro-informed decision. If I had known what the Foley bulb might feel like without my body being ready—or that there were other options—I might’ve made a different choice.

If your labor begins naturally, it doesn’t always mean it will be easy. But your body is following a biological rhythm. Your cervix opens in response to real-time hormonal cues. And there’s power in letting your body lead when possible.

That’s why I’m creating my Birth Trauma & Empowered Birth Prep Series—to help women process past births and walk into their next one informed, confident, and supported.

If you want to be the first to know when each series drops, you can sign up here: Birth Series Interest List🤎

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Sources

1. Jozwi, M. L., Dodd, J. M., & Mitchell, M. D. (2012). Foley catheter versus vaginal prostaglandin E2 gel for induction of labour at term: A systematic review of randomised trials. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 119(1), 5–13.

2. ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 184. (2017). Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Delivery. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 130(5), e217–e233.

3. Vahratian, A., Zhang, J., Troendle, J. F., & Sciscione, A. C. (2005). Labor progression and risk of cesarean delivery in electively induced nulliparas. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 105(4), 698–704.

4. Mozurkewich, E. L., et al. (2009). Methods of induction of labour: A systematic review. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 9, 6.

5. Sciscione, A. C., et al. (2001). A prospective, randomized comparison of Foley catheter insertion versus prostaglandin E2 gel for preinduction cervical ripening. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 184(5), 1127–1130.

6.Declercq, E. R., et al. (2013). Listening to Mothers III: Pregnancy and Birth. Childbirth Connection.