Balloon induction?

[Morgan12345]

Does anyone have any positive balloon induction stories? I'm currently 41+3 and going in today to get the balloon put in. The majority of forums I've read online have horror stories about the balloon but midwives have assured me it's very effective so not sure what to believe!

I can only tell you my experience so not speaking for all balloon inductions! Mine was not a positive experience to put it mildly. The registrar who performed the procedure was very inexperienced as it was a new thing at the hospital I was at. It took multiple attempts to get it in and was by far the most painful experience of my life. I had gas and air and it didn’t touch the sides. Didn’t work in the end and after a full night of contractions which stopped by the morning I ended up with a c section. I’m sorry that was my experience but I’m sure there are many many other positive ones!! Good luck!!

I had the balloon induction for my second baby. So much better than my first induction and worked very quickly. So fingers crossed for you!

Thanks for your responses!

If anyone stumbles across this thread: I had the balloon and it was painless going in and was more like a smear test. The most uncomfortable part was the speculum being inserted but I couldn't really feel the rest at all.

Had some tightenings after it had been put in but midwife said that's normal as they've basically irritated the cervix. They died down after getting home that night.

Came back into the hospital 12 hours later and was put on the monitor for a bit. Balloon was then drained of the fluid using a syringe and it was taken out which was also painless (just felt like taking out a tampon). I was then examined and the balloon did its job and dilated me to 2cm. Am now just waiting for a bed on the labour ward to have my waters broken.

Overall I'm super happy with the experience I've had with the balloon and would recommend and would also get it again myself if I had the option in future!!

Also had a positive experience. Wasn’t the most comfortable thing to have inserted but far from painful. 16 hours later it had done its thing and maybe tmi but went for a pee and it came out. Had to wait a few hours to be taken to labour ward to have waters broken - can’t remember how many cm I was dilated at that point.