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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Balloon induction stories

19 replies

Squidgy123 · 26/06/2021 18:55

Booked in for a balloon induction in a couple of weeks and I was just wanting to know peoples honest stories with them as I don't know anyone who has had one.

OP posts:
THATbasicSNOWFLAKE · 26/06/2021 21:39

Booked in for one of these on monday but thinking of refusing.

Original poster
Squidgy123 · 26/06/2021 21:51

@THATbasicSNOWFLAKE

Booked in for one of these on monday but thinking of refusing.
Why if you don't mind me asking? I've never heard of it before now
OP posts:
MrsH2 · 26/06/2021 21:53

Hi OP

I had a balloon induction when I had my little boy in March - I was 12 days overdue and my hospital were offering this as you could go home once it's in, instead of having to be in hospital with the other induction methods. I opted for this so I could have my own bed for an extra night and my husband with me.

The process of getting the balloon in wasn't too bad, just a little uncomfortable, then I felt a bit crampy when it was in but nothing too terrible.

I went back in the next morning and it was taken out. It had done what it was supposed to do as I was 3cm and they were able to break my waters.

18 hours later I ended up having a EMCS but that wasn't anything to do with having had the balloon, my body just didn't seem to want to do what it was meant to!

Hope this helps.

THATbasicSNOWFLAKE · 26/06/2021 21:54

I'm just feeling really stressed out about having to hang about waiting for 12 hours for it to do something. I have been told if they can just break my waters when i go in then they will

Original poster
Squidgy123 · 26/06/2021 21:59

Thanks for the response, I like the idea of going home for a while, I had the pessary induction with my daughter and it was the worst experience ever so I wasn't keen on having to have it again but had came to terms I would have to until they offered the balloon. They have also told me that if they can break my waters when I go in they will do that instead so I am hoping they can!! Were you able to do much once they put the balloon in? I've read mixed about how active people have been able to be after it's put in?

OP posts:
PumpkinKlNG · 26/06/2021 22:01

Horrific, I would never do that again, and it didn’t work

Megan2018 · 26/06/2021 22:02

They couldn’t get mine in!
It was hideously painful and they abandoned it. I wasn’t prepared for that, no-one said they might not get it in.

They then tried the pessary but I had a reaction to it and they had to take it out.

Fortunately spontaneous labour followed!
But it’s a good method on the whole I gather so don’t worry Smile

Original poster
Squidgy123 · 26/06/2021 22:03

Oh really? I'm a bit nervous for it as we didn't get to talk about it much I was just giving a leaflet and told my dates and times to appear. Did it work for you?

OP posts:
PumpkinKlNG · 26/06/2021 22:04

It was very painful for me as well so I’m surprised someone said it was just a little uncomfortable, it was honestly horrific, but I guess we are all different

Original poster
Squidgy123 · 26/06/2021 22:05

@Megan2018

They couldn’t get mine in! It was hideously painful and they abandoned it. I wasn’t prepared for that, no-one said they might not get it in.

They then tried the pessary but I had a reaction to it and they had to take it out.

Fortunately spontaneous labour followed!
But it’s a good method on the whole I gather so don’t worry Smile

Thanks for your reply, I really don't want the pessary i ended up having 3 and then they just managed to break my waters and by that point I was drained and exhausted it was just so long before I even got into the labour ward, lucky that you went into labour on your own! I am hoping to go before I need it or they can break my waters when I go in
OP posts:
MrsH2 · 26/06/2021 22:09

It's hard for me to say how active you can be because I had it put in at night so by the time we got home I just wanted a shower and to get to bed. But the next morning when I got up I was fine pottering around the house, having a shower, washed and blowdried hair, made breakfast etc.

And the car park at the hospital is quite a walk from the maternity unit and it didn't cause me any issues with that either when I was going back in.

MrsH2 · 26/06/2021 22:10

Also should add this was my first baby so nothing to compare it to but it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.

luckymagnoliatree · 26/06/2021 22:11

I had a balloon induction with DS1 in 2016, I was part of the trial for it at the time as it was a new option & I preferred the idea of it over the standard pessary induction because it was hormone free & I could go home for the evening too.

It was fine being put in, felt a bit weird once they were filled up with water, quite heavy. I was paranoid they were going to just fall out, but I was assured that wouldn't happen & it would only happen if you were dilated a lot more, was it 6cm or something I think they said, can't quite remember now as it was so long ago! 🙈

Had a bit of an uncomfortable night as my cramping and early contractions seemed to ramp up a bit after I had it in, but had a nice bath at home and tried to get some sleep too. When I went back into hospital the next day and they removed it I was dilated to 3cm I think it was and they were able to break my waters straight away. Unfortunately for me it did go downhill from there, but that was not due to the balloon induction!

If I had of needed an induction with DS2 and the balloon induction had of been an option I definitely would have opted for it again, however I didn't need to with him as my waters broke naturally a week early.

I was really happy with the balloon induction method though and it worked well for me, so I would recommend it. Good luck whatever you decide! x

BrilliantBetty · 26/06/2021 22:21

I have had all 3 induction methods.
Balloon, pessary and the drip.

Pessary was the least uncomfortable while still being effective.

For me the balloon didn't work. Yes it opened my cervix to the required 4cm.. but didn't get contractions going properly, while still being uncomfortable. So a waste of time, basically.

Everybody is different.

THATbasicSNOWFLAKE · 26/06/2021 22:30

Not everyone can go home with the balloon i have been told i must stay in

Bathwater · 26/06/2021 22:31

I was induced at 38+4 weeks for 3 experiences of reduced feral movements and severe PGP. I was already 3cm and I contracted the balloon out 2 hours later when I was 4cm. Nothing happened had my waters artificially broken and drip next morning (as planned if it didn’t start me off).
I thought it was fine, slightly strange sensation because of the weight but I was already slightly dilated. Exercise ball was my friend! I’d have it again if I have a second and it was offered/ required. I was very relaxed so might have helped or not be uncomfortable and already being dilated slightly before it was in.

luckymagnoliatree · 26/06/2021 22:37

@THATbasicSNOWFLAKE

Not everyone can go home with the balloon i have been told i must stay in
I think maybe they have changed it at the moment due to the covid situation?
Original poster
Squidgy123 · 26/06/2021 22:38

It's crazy how everybody's body reacts differently to things, thank you for all the advice and experiences. I'm hoping it's a straightforward process so fingers crossed!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Squidgy123 · 26/06/2021 22:39

@THATbasicSNOWFLAKE

Not everyone can go home with the balloon i have been told i must stay in
That's a shame they won't let you go home , hopefully they can just break your waters and you get going!! Good luck
OP posts:
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