Wanting to avoid repeat section - balloon cathether induction - any expereince???

[marley79]

Just wanting to hear those that have had this. My hospital are using it because I need to be induced early (I have gd) but I have had previous c-section so they won't use drugs. Its either try this or straight for section but I would like to give vbac a go, so settled on giving this a try.

has this worked for anyone. any details how long it stays in etc would be great. I'll have it in evening and will sleep with it in but I was worried that might not exert the pressure as do I need to be stood up?

thanks.

 

[skc22]

They tried to do this for me (along with a few other kinds of induction methods). Personally, this was the most painful thing I have ever experienced - alot worse than my 4 days labour and 3.5hrs of pushing, and I have a very high pain threshold.
They did mine around 9pm, and wanted me to sleep with it in and were going to give me sleeping tablets so I could get some rest. Unfortunately, they couldn't get it into position after around an hour of trying to. I tore pretty bad and bled alot after too (a student was actually doing it, then the doctor tried after)
But, that was due to my cervix still being high up, and wasn't the norm.
If its put in correctly, it will stay in until you are 4cm then will fall out on its own. It just stretches the cervix out enough for them to break your waters. The doctor who did mine said she hasn't had one fail before, and it normally is a quick, straight forward procedure.
Good luck