Balloon induction?

[Fae1989]

Hi ladies

Baby is measuring big so they’ve booked me in for a balloon induction just before my due date. Has anyone had any experience of this? Just wondering if it’s the right choice as the consultant didn’t really give me much information.

Thanks :)

Sorry no advice but I am also interested in hearing about this. I had a previous c-section and I am aiming for a VBAC this time but I am aware that this is my only allowed method of induction (if I need an induction).

@thisyeargoodyear - no worries :) I’ve never heard of a balloon induction before hence the question, just wondered if anyone’s experienced it. Doesn’t sound like there are any chemicals involved which is good!

I had a very big baby and was induced early. Chemical induction didn’t work, the baloon didn’t really work either but enough to break my waters. Overall, it took a few days and I ended up with a C-section.

Oh, obviously the methods do work for some women.

Thanks @JoJoSM2.

Can anyone else offer any experience?

I’ve just read in the NICE Guidelines that balloon Inductions shouldn’t routinely be offered and that a big baby alone isn’t a reason to induce.

Now I’m at a complete loss because I can’t find much online about the procedure.

Stressed and anxious to the max 😖

I had a balloon catheter induction 5 months ago with DD. Have you had previous deliveries as this method isn't recommended for a first baby.

The procedure itself was uncomfortable and caused a little blood loss but idea is to encourage the cervix to dilate. It's left in for 12 hours and guess hopefully labour will start. It didn't for me so I ended up with vaginal tablets which again are left for 12 hours and then repeated if necessary. Induction can be a long winded process but you're well monitored throughout.

Please don't stress yourself, although I know it's hard not to

@StrawberriesAreRed - thank you. It's my first baby (and the consultant kept asking me that) so he was definitely aware. I've also read that this method is suggested for subsequent births like VBACs so not sure why they've suggested this method. He barely explained anything and I just came out feeling flustered and upset (after being made to wait an hour to even see him).

Thank you for sharing your experience - hopefully having a sweep before so with any luck I won't have to be induced properly :/

I found the insertion of the balloon painful but had gas and air (and a tricky cervix so it took 2 doctors to do it). No blood loss at all and first baby but the tablets hadn’t worked (horrendous irregular contractions, some lasting for 5 mins but no actual start of labour).

If you don’t want to be induced, then don’t. Your baby might or might not be big (the calculations aren’t always accurate). Also, some women manage to birth massive babies no probs.

DS was almost 5kg (10lb10oz) at 39 weeks and had a giant head to match. If I’d carried him for another 2 weeks he probably would have got closer to 6kg and I honestly don’t think I would have been able to birth him naturally. Given all the horrid tearing that can happen or shoulder dystocia etc I’m glad I was induced early even if I ended up with an emergency C-section. It could have gone a lot more wrong if I’d waited to go into labour naturally.

@JoJoSM2 - I really don't like the idea of induction but this method seemed more gentle (from what I've read) - it's just the lack of information that concerns me. To be honest, I am not completely against induction purely on the basis that if he's big and it enables me to birth him naturally then that's great.

I'm 38&4 and he's measuring as 8lb 5.

I suppose if they continue growing beyond that it's a concern. I'd read shoulder dystocia can happen with any baby.

That's strange that your consultant has suggested the balloon method as I remember mine clearly saying they only use it if you've had previous vaginal deliveries due to the cervix being more favourable.

This was my 2nd induction but first using this method, think it's relatively new. My midwife did say that it's a cheaper option for the trusts to use.

Ultimately I ended up with the vaginal tablets which took over a day to work but once they can break your waters the contractions can come on quickly. Remember there are lots of pain relief options so whilst it seems daunting now, you will be absolutely fine.

What really does help is being on your feet and walking around as it really does help to get things going. Although walking is the last thing that you really want to be doing. Having been through induction twice that's one piece of advice I would give you.

Good luck with the birth xx

@Fae1989 I've never had a balloon induction but have had two pessary inductions. There is a Facebook group called positive induction stories (or similar) which might be helpful and you might find others there who have had a balloon in similar circumstances?

OP, when you read the NICE guidelines did you go into the details of the research as to why induction isn’t recommended for big babies? I might not remember correctly but some of it seemed to be financially driven, ie 1000 inductions to prevent 1 shoulder dystocia so not financially the best option.

And while shoulder dystocia can happen to anyone, most cases are in babies over 4kg so statistically much more frequent with larger ones.

Would it be possible to have another appointment with the consultant to discuss their thinking and feel like you’re making an informed decision?

@stripeyronnie thank you, I’ll definitely look into that. Was the pessary induction experience ok?

@JoJoSM2 - I see. No I didn’t read the exact specifics, I couldn’t find much in there, just that they don’t recommend induction on the basis of baby being big alone (in the absence of other risk factors like GD, which I don’t have etc).

To be honest he was so abrupt and dismissive and my anxiety was so high by the time I got in there I think I just agreed to anything out of fear (whilst realising I can still just say no before the event). Think I just needed some compassion and reassurance and I got zip!

@Fae1989 Both were completely manageable. The first one (first baby), I needed three pessaries and then the drip. So I was in for about three days. The first two though I had hardly any pains as nothing was happening so if it's your first baby take things to do. I found the drip more painful and had an epidural in the end, mostly as I couldn't move around due to continuous monitoring. With my second induction I had a single pessary, about 6 hours of low level contractions (not too bad at all) then my waters went and baby arrived in 40mins. It was intense at the end but pretty much the equivalent of a natural birth. I didn't have time for any pain relief. Good luck however it goes for you.

I had it as the first step of induction (2weeks overdue and no sign of things starting naturally) to get me starting to dilate. It was my first baby. I'm not in the UK so things might be a bit different here. They put the balloon in in the evening and I spent the night at the hospital. The next morning it fell out and when they checked I was 5cm dilated. Later all the rest of the induction happened - they broke my waters, started me on the drip etc. Balloon gave me pretty bad cramps, like a really bad period.

If you don't want a balloon induction don't have one. I don't think they are routine and as you've read are not usually used in first time mothers?

@Tomasinaa - Thanks. If I decide it's not for me then I won't have one. I just wanted to see what other people's experiences were so I could make more of an informed decision.

I've been advised by the consultant that it's something they have to offer - but without much help from him, determining whether or not they're routine is pretty difficult.

If I was faced with another induction, I would agree a date for a natural labour & then go to a section, with a big baby I would definitely think about a section.

I had a sweep at 35 then at 36 weeks and baby came 6 hours later. Very healthy and was home about 3 hours later

Ahh. Sorry. You said balloon induction.

@StrawberriesAreRed - sorry I missed your post earlier. Thank you for sharing, that's really helpful and useful to know :)

@ohhdearyme - no worries at all, they've said I can have a sweep first so fingers crossed that works and this ominous balloon isn't necessary :) nice to hear it worked for someone else!

@Nat6999 - agree a date for a natural labour? As in a cut off? Thanks for your post but I really don't want a c-section and just because a baby is (estimated) it's not reason enough. I'm absolutely terrified of the thought of a section so for me that's a last resort!

Fae1989 you have an increased risk of needing a section if you are induced, you could be 3 days from when they start the induction, including being in labour on the drip & then have to have a section, you are worn out before they start, ok if you are already dilating & they can break your waters you probably have a reasonable chance of a natural delivery, but if there are no signs that anything is happening the chances reduce. In my eyes if you go straight to section you arent as tired, arent full of the fluids they put in with the induction. I chose to be induced, was 3 days in labour before they announced my induction had failed & then went to section, I was shattered, hadn't eaten or slept for 3 days, I wish I had just decided to have the section, I would have been home & done quicker & probably not as poorly as I was.

I was in a similar state to Nat by the time it got to the C-section. I was exhausted, out of it and dehydrated as I'd been throwing water up for hours. Still managed to have a melt down when the C-section was recommended and I really really really didn’t want it.

PS No GD and a super healthy pregnancy and general great health here.

My consultant was super experienced and friendly. In the appointment beforehand, I asked what she would do if it was her pregnancy and she said she’s go for an induction at 39 weeks. I just went with that even though initially I’d wanted a water birth and had been practising hypnobirthing etc. (Came in handy to deal with the stress, actually).

I know this is an old post, but for those who are searching about it now... I had a balloon induction, it didnt hurt. It was more strange and uncomfortable after to walk about and stuff it felt weird lol. But I didnt find it worked. It came out 4 hour later and I had gone from 1cm to 2cm dialated so I ended up with the pessary which was very painful, and my DS was back to back. He was born around 10hours after the pessary was inserted.