Hi OP, I'll give you my experience. First baby aged 39 after years of infertility I was anxious and they offered an induction as I'd had a couple of false panics about reduced movements. I was 39 weeks exactly when they inserted the balloon. 2 days earlier they tried to give me a sweep but the ob said it couldn't be done as I hadn't even started to dilate (bad news for an induction but little did I know.)
On the day of getting the balloon in it took a lot of wrestling from 2 nurses (it wasn't painful btw but they did offer gas and air) to get said balloon in. Its meant to be fall out within 24 hours. I had cramps throughout the day, nothing major, some i had to get up and walk about to but not too bad. About 12 hours later it all stopped. 24 hours later it wasn't coming out. 48 hours later it still wasn't so they took it out and tried to break my waters the next morning which they couldn't do as had to be done in delivery suite as cervix was still shut and there was danger of cord prolapse. I did find the attempt to break my waters painful but not unbearable.
By the end of that day I was tired already, I hadn't slept at all for 2 nights and I mean not a wink. Then they offered to start the whole induction again using the pessary, i didn't like the idea and when a Sister kindly told me that nearly every induction she'd been part of that the balloon didn't come out within 48 hours ended in EMCS and the odds were against me. She was worried that it might take another couple of days to get me to the point of labour. This was all hush hush as when the obstetrician came to see me, he and every other medic I encountered tried to get me to continue with the induction and start the pessary. I at this stage told them I wanted an ELCS or I wanted to go home and wait for labour to start. With some heated discussion they agreed to an ELCS.
Two days later I gave birth to my precious eldest daughter. My experience of the ELCS was wonderful. I healed very quickly, no pain just some discomfort but honestly was out walking with DH and baby on day 5 feeling great. It was wonderful. Two years later I did it all again (ELCS) which gave me my 14 month old. Honestly, my experience of ELCS was amazing.
Incidentally, the only other people I know who had the balloon (both first babies) theirs came out and they both had text book deliveries one with an epidural, one without. Both good experiences.
I've spoken to two people on these forums who like me the balloon didn't come out and it ended in an EMCS. It's pretty clear if your cervix isn't ready it's much more likely that you'll experience issues. If I remember rightly it's called the bishops score and if your score is low your body just isn't ready. You can always ask about it in the hospital.
Good luck and congratulations! Apologies, this was meant to be short and sweet!