Dr. Louis Freedman recently published an article on Foley catheter insertion for cervical ripening [October]. I was wondering, does he prep the cervix before inserting the catheter?
—LORRAINE ROSE-LERMAN, CNM
WALNUT CREEK, CALIF
Dr. Freedman responds:
There is no need to prep the cervix before inserting the Foley catheter. The Foley is a foreign object that will remain in the vagina and cervix for hours, and there is no prep that can prevent microorganisms from ascending along the Foley into the extra-ovular space. If the patient is positive for group B streptococcus, I will begin antibiotic prophylaxis at the time of initial insertion.