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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Balloon Induction

15 replies

slapmyarseandcallmemary · 10/02/2022 12:17

Hi. I'm currently 35+3 with my third baby. I had an emcs after a failed induction with my first. I then had a VBAC with forceps with my second. This time I have GD controlled, for the most part, with Metformin. Due to the emcs, the GD and my age (42) my consultant is talking about a balloon Induction in a couple of weeks. I have growth scans weekly as baby had jumped a bit in weight. My question is, had anyone who has had a balloon Induction willing to tell me how it was for them? Is it painful when they put it in? How long did it take to work (assuming it did work). I had a not so great experienced being induced with my 1st baby via propess. I also said I wouldn't have another induction but the alternative is a scheduled section. Many thanks!

OP posts:
RedCandyApple · 10/02/2022 12:21

I had this and putting it in was horrific, though I’ve heard others saying it wasn’t painful at all but for me it was excruciating. Never again. And it didn’t work it fell out at some point and didn’t work ended up with another emcs

HayleyBay · 10/02/2022 12:31

You can ask for gas and air whilst they put it in. I wouldn't have managed without.

I would stay in after it's inserted because in the middle of the night I couldn't pee so they had to take some water out of it.

It only got me to 1 cm after 24 hours yet that was enough for them to break my waters and labour was super fast after that. I had contractions from as soon as it was inserted so I was sure I was making more progress than I actually had. This was my 3rd labour, first 2 also vaginal.

I contracted sepsis which I think was probably from the balloon.

Original poster
slapmyarseandcallmemary · 10/02/2022 12:46

@RedCandyApple this is my worry, I was in a lot of pain when they used the propess pessary in my 1st pregnancy and I feel like if it's going to end in a C-section, maybe it's better I go straight to that.
@HayleyBay oh, that's sounds scary, I hope you recovered quickly.

OP posts:
Fleur405 · 10/02/2022 22:23

I had one and scheduled to have another one in about 3 weeks. Now I wouldn’t say it was a pleasant experience having it inserted but honestly I didn’t think it was too bad. Like a really unpleasant smear test - they did offer me gas and air. It’s not nice but it only took 5 minutes and seemed better than having the pessarry. Once it’s in it’s not sore or u comfortable at all. At my hospital they book you in for 24 hours later for it to be removed (unless it falls out before). It did work for me and they were able to break my waters the next day.

Original poster
slapmyarseandcallmemary · 11/02/2022 08:23

@Fleur405 aw, that's great to know, I'm hoping if I have one that it isn't as bad as I'm reading or imagining 🙈 I do have a fairly decent pain threshold and had fertility treatment to have all of my children, so I'm used to being prodded but obv in pregnancy everything is bit more tender and sensitive!! Good luck with your induction!!

OP posts:
Fleur405 · 11/02/2022 09:32

If you decide to do it I would say just focus on the fact that it’ll be over reasonably quickly. At least it was for me - the midwife was pretty no nonsense though!

Chachama · 11/02/2022 14:46

I had it after having a propess in but contracted too much and had to have it out early.
I thought it was uncomfortable going in but but terrible, had gas and air to hand but didn’t use it.
I did have very painful contractions the whole nightf after it was inserted and I did go from 1cm when it went in to 3cm when it came out and they broke my waters. I had a long labour but overall positive birth :) good luck xx

Chachama · 11/02/2022 14:47

Sorry meant uncomfortable but not terrible!

Original poster
slapmyarseandcallmemary · 11/02/2022 15:09

Thanks everyone, really appreciate you responding. Hopefully baby will decide to make an appearance before induction is needed 🤞

OP posts:
AuntieMaggie · 11/02/2022 15:14

I turned this down when induced and went straight to having my waters broken because of the low success rate at my particular hospital and because when they examined me to assess me for putting it in it was agony even with gas and air. Just keep in mind just because you're being induced and agree to something doesn't mean you can't change your mind when it comes to it. As it's your 3rd hopefully things will move quickly once induction started this time. Good luck.

Duracellbunnywannabe · 11/02/2022 15:15

I would ask about it’s success rate.

accidentlygothereagain · 11/02/2022 15:16

I had it. I didn't think having it put in was that bad at all, I refused gas and air. At my trust it goes in and then you're put on a ward and between 12 and 24 hours of it being in (whenever they're free) you move to delivery. Mine was in 14 hours and I'd gone from 1cm to 3 so they popped my waters. I had the epidural put in before the hormone drip and then gave birth within 12 hours, slept through active labour and had a pleasant birth after a rough pregnancy.
Best of luck :)

SaraKitty · 04/03/2022 21:16

Hi does anyone know if there is an advantage to having the baloon inserted even if they say they could break your waters instead ? I’m wondering whether it could be a gentler induction to get the balloon first before they break your waters to bring you a bit further. I’m trying to avoid having to get the drip as I’m planning a VBAC so thinking of ways to do a very gentle induction (if needed).

jellybe · 04/03/2022 21:46

@SaraKitty

Hi does anyone know if there is an advantage to having the baloon inserted even if they say they could break your waters instead ? I’m wondering whether it could be a gentler induction to get the balloon first before they break your waters to bring you a bit further. I’m trying to avoid having to get the drip as I’m planning a VBAC so thinking of ways to do a very gentle induction (if needed).
If they can break your waters then you are too dialated for the balloon. The balloon is to open up your cervix enough to then break your waters. Because it doesn't have any hormones in it you are very unlikely to start contracting and once it is out if you don't have your waters broken which can trigger contractions or at least means they can then augment them, your cervix may close again.
SaraKitty · 05/03/2022 12:04

Thanks @jellybe

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