Balloon induction

[ami91]

Hello all,

I am wanting to hear some of your experiences with being induced with the balloon.
I got induced at 37 weeks with DS with the pessary and hormon drip, after 3 days I had an ECS, so this time I'm 38 + 4 and they wanted me to have another section, I really want to go natural so they have said they will induce me using the balloon method. Please can you share your experiences?
Thank you

I had the balloon fitted in September for DC2, unfortunately the midwife accidentally broke my waters when fitting it so it had to be taken straight back out. I was then left overnight to see if I started contracting, which I did not, then placed on the drip still with a completely unfavourable cervix. Although mine doesn't sound positive, and I would have loved the chance to be able to avoid the drip, it was still an amazing experience. My hospital is also super busy as most are, so there was a 2-3 day wait if you needed waters manually broken, so part of me is pleased I skipped the queue so it isn't the end of the world if this happens.
Hopefully someone comes along with a different experience of the balloon working well, but wanted to give you mine. The fitting etc was fine, similar to a sweep. Good luck!

I had the balloon induction 3 weeks ago. It was my second baby and I was 38+4.

I felt it was successful. The balloon was put in and the plan was I was meant to go home for the 24 hours but I had a small amount of bleeding so they kept me in (I was told that's uncommon). After 12 hours I started having mild contractions, they took it out after 20 hours and were able to break my waters. Baby born less than 3 hours later.

It was a little uncomfortable while they put it in although no worse than a sweep / examination, I was offered gas and air while they did it but I didn't need to use it.

Good luck

Same as you I had pessary and eventual CS with my first.

Tried the balloon for my second. Use gas and air when they insert it. It is uncomfortable when it's in too, lots of pressure. It didn't work for me, I dilated to 1cm only and they didn't manage to break my waters after the 24 hours. I was sure it would work - I spent 24 works walking, on the birth ball and I even had a bloody show. But it wasn't to be so I had another section.

It would be a good idea to speak to your hospital about whether they even do a balloon catheter induction for a multip. They only do it for primips in my hospital.
It’s designed to open up your cervix enough to allow the midwife to then break your waters, and then start the drip. So again, a conversation about the whole induction plan would help you decide what’s best for you.
Obviously with ANY intervention you can say no, or delay things until you feel ready. But the likelihood of JUST the balloon being enough to induce your labour is fairly low.

I had a balloon induction a few years ago for my second birth. The balloon was fine being inserted (felt a bit weird that's all), it fell out within 24 hours and I was called back in that evening to have waters broken. Baby arrived 2 hours after my waters broke. I was a couple of days over due though so I think he was ready to come out just needed a nudge in the right direction.

Thanks all for sharing your stories. I really hope it works for me, I'm living on my birthing ball hoping that will help haha xx

It didn't do much. Having my waters broken was so painful I needed an epidural. Baby arrived aroynd 16 hours later after I stalled at 8cm for four hours.