Induction: pessary or balloon?

[pippabg]

FTM, 36 weeks tomorrow, and had a talk today with midwife about induction. I've decided that I want to be induced at 41 weeks if baby not here, so don't want to debate this. However, I wanted to ask those who have had inductions about the virtues of the balloon over the pessary.

My hospital seems to offer the balloon before the pessary, and then the balloon if the pessary doesn't work. I don't like the idea of the balloon and heard it only ripens the cervix and doesnt bring on contractions where the pessary could potentially do both (but is not guaranteed).

What are your experiences of the pessary and/or balloon? Should I push to go straight to the pessary if that's my preference? I can't see any drawbacks in going straight to the pessary.

My trust only offers the balloon if you’ve already had a child because it’s not likely to work. I had the pessary and then when that did nothing, the gel. That also did nothing and intervals were getting more painful. However, within 5 mins of saying I didn’t want to continue with the induction process and wanted a Caesarian, my waters broke and contractions started, DS was born 4 hrs later. I guess all the prodding did do something even though I never dilated through induction.

I had the pessary with both DC, post dates, around 41 weeks +4/5 days, I had to stay in with both due to slight blip on the heart monitor otherwise in my hospital apparently I could have been sent home to wait.

First induction, after about 18 hours contractions started, mild at first, DC1 arrived 10 hours later (about 5 hours after my waters broke)

Second induction, nothing after 24 hours but they could break my waters so they did, 2.5 hours later DC2 was born.

I had no problems with the pessary either time but with my first I feel like it could have been removed earlier than 24 hours, however I wasn't seen as being in labour (I was, I was 8cm dilated when they first checked me, after the 24 hours, still on the induction ward...) but this was probably due to the hospital rather than anything else. I would say both births were quick and intense, I chose induction for my second DC because I was happy enough with my experience with DC1, my second induction was better of the 2 as I felt more in control, knew roughly what to expect (and it was quicker!)

Good luck OP! I hope whatever happens it goes well.

Balloon will only be effective if your cervix is already slightly open or if you have had a previous child.

I am having balloon this time around. First time I had the pessary however my son reacted to it and needed an emergency c-section.

I've never even heard of the balloon! Is it new or only in certain areas?
I've had 2 inductions with pessary. Both times the pessary worked, and quite quickly.

The pessary can cause hyperstimulation which causes fetal distress so that is why hospitals don’t use it as first line, although mine does. The pessary shortens the cervix, softens it aswell as dilates it, the balloon is purely mechanical so just opens it so more likely to need syntocinon.

I had pessary with both mine, first was only in for 16hours, ended with CS. Pessary again 2nd time for again 16hours, had a normal birth. Early pregnant again and suspect will need an induction and would go for pessary again

I had a pessary on baby no3. Had it put in at 1.40pm. Had nothing all day, not even a twinge. My waters broke suddenly at 10.30pm and DS was born at 11.57pm. I'd heard all these horror stories of inductions but mine went well.

My consultant said he didn’t offer the balloon as he had very little success with. In the end I chose to go straight to c section at 39 weeks if I hadn’t gone into labour.

If you get to that situation ask the consultant for the BRAIN if each method. https://thepositivebirthcompany.co.uk/parenting-blog/three-things-to-know-about-induction-of-labour#:~:text=B.R.A.I.N%20%3D%20Benefits%2C%20Risks%2C%20Alternatives,What%20are%20the%20benefits%3F

I'd definitely ask them to examine you first to see if you're a good candidate for the balloon. I've twice had the balloon fitted, not worked and then told afterwards that it was never going to work because baby not engaged/ not dilated enough. Was very annoying to have gone through having it fitted in the first place only to be told that after.

I had to be in the hospital and have the pessary twice before the balloon could work. Like others say you need to be at a certain stage before it's viable. It's strange they offer the balloon first.

Thank you all so much - really helpful to know your experiences. @Fipfop @RoamingToaster that's good advice about asking for an examination. I didn't know that it was only effective if you were a certain amount dilated/if you've had previous births.

Happy to hear more experiences from new posters too!

I was wondering about this. Can you request a c-section at any point in the process? I want an induction if it comes to it, but really want to avoid the drip as I've heard awful things! I think at that point I'd want the c-section. Glad you managed to avoid it in the end!

I've had both. For me the experiences were weirdly similar! Contractions started within 4-5 hours each time but failed to progress, waters had to be broken and I was put on the drip. Pessary was DC1 and balloon DC3. If I were to have another (I won't) I'd have the balloon again but as others have said, I'm not sure it would have been so effective had my cervix not already been stretched from DCs 1 and 2!

2 Inductions at 37 weeks first I had 2 pessarys 6 hours apart and that got me to 3cm with no regular contractions they then broke my waters and daughter was born in 2 hours

Second time I just had my waters broken and went on the drip for an hour and my daughter was born.

Sorry no experience to report with balloon!

I had the pessary which didn't work, then they tried the balloon which also didn't work. I had a section. I'd start with the pessary, the balloon isn't pleasant x

I’ve only had one induction due to being 10 days overdue, the pessaries didn’t work so I ended up needing the syntocinon drip. That in itelf was wasn’t bad, but we both got infections somehow and ended up in hospital for five days on antibiotics every three hours which was horrific.

Im having another induction, this time due to IVF pregnancy and the balloon has been suggested to me as first line, hoping to God it works!

I had the pessary at 38+2 and was one of the ones who got hyperstimulation. This basically meant I got contractions within 30 mins of it going in and was contracting pretty much without a break. As mentioned above, this then caused fetal distress (baby's heart rate was baseline of 190 and going over 200) so they took it out. Still over contracting, gave two injections to slow/stop contractions which got them down to 5 in ten mins (still too many but meant her heart rate settled closer to 170). They prepped me for an emergency c section in this time just in case. Sounds scary, but the team had a strong back up plan in case she stayed too distressed and she ended up being born in four pushes so not all bad! Plus it was definitely fast! I'd been told to expect it to take up to five days and she was being cuddled that evening (only went to the induction appointment at 4pm!). Best of luck!