Balloon induction.

[somuchcoffeeneeded]

I would be interested to hear from anyone who has had this. It’s been suggested by consultant and they are likely to push me to agree to an induction at 37 weeks due to movement concerns. Second baby but first was spontaneous labour.

Noooooo!!!

I had this, they didn't give me any other option

Having it inserted was the most painful thing I had ever experienced (up to that point), my Jesus, they open your cervix with some giant plastic jaws of life dildo thing....

It then made me going into false labor.. very painful and no gas and air allowed because it wasn't real labor and I had to have it taken out

I then had the pessary (I wish they'd given me this first!) Tampon shaped thing, wear it for 24 hours, then pull it out yourself, painless. For me, I then when straight into contractions followed by labor.. no need for drip or waters being broken but they do say you may need those interventions.

This is, of course, just one person's experience, but if I had a worst enemy, I would not let them get the balloon induction!!

Good luck with whatever you decide

I've heard some positives...I was pessary induction, was 30hours of painful contractions before I was "in labour" the 17 hours on the drip.

I'd say try the balloon, see what happens, if its terrible request to swap to pessary.

People who have given birth before dont tend to have such long inductions

I had a positive experience. Had it at 41+1 (she wasn't going anywhere), they recommend it for women who've had CSections previously. Was uncomfortable to put in but not a dot compared to childbirth 🤦🏻‍♀️.

Had it in for a day and night, went to the toilet the next morning and it fell out - turns out I'd got to 4 cm dilated! That was the easy bit, it was all downhill from there - epidural, shoulder dysplasia, episiotomy, forceps, blood loss. Got things rolling though!