Balloon induction at 38 weeks

[mummy1214]

Hiya has anyone here had the balloon induction method at 38 weeks ? Been told I will be induced at 38 weeks at the latest due to a benign tumor being found on my placenta at a growth scan 2 days ago. The midwife said it will more than likely be the balloon method they go for. What is it like anyone successfully gone in to labour with this method ? I'm absolutely terrified as I've always been scared of hospitals but even more so with the no visiting and birth partner not being allowed to be there until sent to labour suite when in established labour.

Anyone ?

Hi @mummy1214, I haven't had the balloon induction but I am watching for replies as I am having one in about 3 weeks.

It is a bit scary at the minute but I have been assured that the hospital has a loads more support staff on nurses on the ward to support during the induction and labour, I choose to believe this!

My understanding is the balloon will be used for about 24 hours and I'll then be moved to the delivery ward where my DH can join and then Ill be hooked up to the drip.

I had the balloon induction at 40+5. The insertion was probably the worst part of the whole process for me as they had to really get 'up there' as my cervix was still high.

I did not go into labour with it however apparently it did 'enough' which meant they could just about break my waters, even though everything was still high up.

Put on the drip afterwards and ended up with a forceps delivery due to shoulder distocia. I imagine without that she would have been born without any further intervention.

I would also like to hear stories on this as I am due one at 40 weeks and have no idea what to expect - do they use it to break waters or does it kick things off on its own?

Thanks, sorry for cross post!

From my understanding the balloon induction is meant to mimic the baby's head pressing on your cervix and lead to your waters breaking, with contractions to follow.

As it can't be in for longer than 24 hours, if your waters have not broken (or cannot be broken) then they will put you on a pessary instead to try and kick things off.

To warn you all, you end up with a few plastic tubes (capped off) which essentially hang from your vagina. It was around 15cm hanging out, so you have to hold it up out of the toilet! They recommend wearing two pairs of pants so you can tuck the tubes in the middle.

Makes wiping after going to the loo a pain.

I had the balloon induction last year at 36 weeks.

They can give you gas and air for the insertion, I had a few puffs then asked when they were going to insert it. The doctor told me it was already done! Didnt feel a thing.

Within 24 hours I was dilated enough to have ARM. It was fine. Good luck!

I had a balloon induction at 40+6, very slow to start things off, had it in for 24 hours, apparently labour had then progressed enough to break my waters, then still had to have drip. 24 hours later still hasn't progressed enough so ended up with c-section. I have heard of others having had more success, I just had a very stubborn baby who did not want to shift!

Thank you all. I am petrified as I hate hospitals even more so with hubby not being allowed there until I'm in full blown labour. Doesn't help that the reason for induction is because I have a rare benign tumour on my placenta that of gets worse could affect baby.

@mummy1214, that is scary and bad luck. Rest assured though the hospital will know what they are doing with the induction. Ive just read that 1 in 5 births in the UK are through induction so it is entirely routine for them.

The midwife explained to me that they will call my husband as soon as they remove the balloon and are ready to move me to the delivery ward. At that point I will have time to have lunch or a shower before the drip goes in and the real action starts. So he will have loads of time to get there.

I was induced at 38+3 with the balloon catheter.
Arrived at 9am to the hospital. They took three attempts to fit the catheter but a doctor managed to do it in the end.
It was in for about 4 hours and I didn't feel anything. I then started to bleed so they had to take the catheter out and break my waters (I was only 1cm dilated at this point).
I then slowly started to have contractions... Felt like period pains for about 4 hours. It then suddenly kicked in and felt like such bad contractions suddenly.
I then asked for an epidural as I was having contractions every 2 minutes (at this point only 3cm dilated). Epidural was AMAZING!!
Then my daughters heart rate decreased so I had to have an emergency c section and baby arrived 40 minutes later and was a healthy 7lb 1.
Obviously mine didn't go to plan but I have heard success stories too. Also, don't feel bad about having an epidural if you need it!! It was soooo good.

Just had my balloon induction this morning.
Firstly, the no partner rule... I was in and out in less than an hour, in private room, midwives were super lovely, I honestly didn't feel I would have benefitted from hubby being there. It wasn't very dignified anyway so would be like someone watching you get a smear.

The procedure... Its definitely more painful then i expected, read a lot of women get gas and air but I wasn't offered and thought I would be fine, but it was painful for me, but they said my cervix was very high and tight with it being a first baby.

Afterwards... So far I've been home about 2 hours. I'm comfortable standing, walking or laying on my side. I cannot sit down, it's really uncomfortable.

The tubes... Not nice, having to tuck them into my knickers, and feels a little like an uncomfortable tampon having the tubes hanging out.

As far as effectiveness its way too early to say, but I'm hopeful.
In terms of experience, not pleasant but not awful, I'm imagine labour is gonna be a whole lot worse!

I know this is a thread from last year but I can't find any info out there. Basically I'm 38 weeks pregnant with my second baby.my first ended up with a emcs after being induced and labouring intensely for 30+ hours but cervix didn't progress.
I'm going for a vbac and really really want to deliver naturally, but the doctor has said they won't use anything at all to induce me because of the risk. The only thing they will do is break my waters on my due date if my body cervix has dialated itself. I'm so upset by this because I've read in many different hospital info guides online that the ballon catheter is safe for vbac ladies as it's not medical. The doctor just said if we can't break your waters then it's straight in for an elective section and I really don't want to.

Sorry this is long just wondered if you ladies had any advice or ideas? Do you think I can get them to do it, I don't see why they would offer it pretty much everywhere in England but she didn't mention it once just pushing me to go for section.