Women's Experiences of Mechanical Balloon Catheter Induction With Self-Traction

Objective: To explore women's experiences of mechanical labor induction using a balloon catheter with self-traction.

Design: Descriptive qualitative.

Setting: Birth unit of an urban hospital in Quebec, Canada.

Participants: Fourteen women who experienced labor induction with a balloon catheter using self-traction.

Methods: We conducted individual structured interviews between May 2022 and January 2023 to collect data that we subsequently analyzed using the manifest content analysis approach of Graneheim et al. We adhered to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ).

Results: We identified five categories: Expectations, Pain or Comfort Experienced, Emotions Felt, Support From Nursing Staff, and Appreciation of the Procedure. The participants anticipated rapid, effective induction, expressed concerns about potential discomfort, and appreciated control of their experiences. We found a generally positive trend in terms of appreciation for all categories.

Conclusion: The positive experiences of participants underline the promising potential of the balloon catheter method of labor induction with self-traction. Given the continuing growth in labor induction rates, it becomes necessary to continue efforts to offer services specifically geared to women's needs. Offering an additional option such as self-traction is a step in this direction.