Induction of labour with cervical dilator balloon? Experiences?

[moonstorm]

I'm trying for a VBAC, so normal methods of induction are out. AT my appointment today I was told I would be offered a stretch and sweep on my due date and the cervical ballon straight after. I just nodded so I could think about it.

I havd already thought that I didn't want t swep as so many people say it only works of your boidy is ready anyway and it just seems pointless - and so many people say it'a painful and I don't want that... I just seem to freeze up and can't manage to say I don't want it.

And the balloon thing doesn't sound nice either, plus in the information pack it talks of a small risk of infection and I already have strepb....

I am thinking I would rather wait uptil the last minute to see what my body does, the opt for a cs (even though I would rather have a vbac...)

Thanks

Anyone?

Hi!

Didn't want to leave your thread unanswered, no experience but I did google it and there was this answer on yahoo questions;

answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090627062804AAQePmU

Woman who answered the question said it was not a nice experience and she wouldn't do it again.

If you don't feel able to speak up, can you take someone with you or at appointments just nod then phone them and inform them after that you aren't willing to undergo that particular course of treatment. Also make sure you've got a good birthing partner who will stick up for you and not allow themselves to get you to agree to everything.
I've got a doula for that as I don't want to be able to blame my birthing partner for not supporting me enough, plus my doula is very good at making medical people think they you are doing excatly as instructed when in fact she has suggested something else in such a way they think it was their idea anyway

Thanks

I found that link when I Googled. It doesn't sound positive, does it??? I think I might avoid it...

One of my recent clients had this as a VBAC. The balloon insertion itself was fine (she said)it was good because she could then be mobile, walk around. We went out of the hospitals and walked to a local cafe etc.
Usually the balloon falls out when the cervix is 3-4cm's it has quite a higfh success rate (then labour usually starts spontaneously) and much lower risks (esopecially for VBAC).
In this case, it did dilate cervix to 2cm's and she went on to have a drip etc afterwards.
Worth thinking about if you want a VBAC and you are overdue.
Selina

Thank you.

I'll ask the midwife about it again. It might sound sill, but I'm worried that anything invasive/ painful at the start of labour may have an impact later on (I'm a wimp when it comes to smears etc.).