It's used to stretch your cervix. It's a Foley catheter. It hurts like he'll when inserted and feels like you have a penis LOL! I had to tape mine to my leg because I felt really awkward. It falls out on it's own. And May or may not start labour. My last one didn't. It just helped me dilate so they could break my water.
Ohhh and btw once they put it in, my contractions got stronger and i got to 10 cm in 3 hrs
I have!!!! They inserted the foley bulb catheter because i wasnt dilating. Once they put it in, it will slowly inflate and once u get to about 4cm I believe it falls out or they remove it. It worked for me. It was very uncomfortable though not even gona lie girl. Good luck!
Oh okay... he told me they're gonna insert the balloon to open up my cervix but Ive never really heard of that before.... I mainly hear of pitocin or membrane stripping etc. So I'm pretty nervous but OMG am I ready (:
Don't know about getting induced my catheter, but if you're getting an epidural, you will also be given a catheter because you will not have any feeling it function of your urinary tract.