AIBU to ask about sweeps TMI

[LouBlue1507]

Hi Ladies

TMI alert but I could do with some advice...

I'm currently 41+1 pregnant and very fed up and deflated!
I've had 3 sweeps so far and due a 4th on Monday, due to be induced on Wednesday..

I have found the sweeps very painful and I'm not sure whether it's worth going for a 4th??

1st sweep at 40 weeks - no effect

2nd sweep at 40+4 - Had contractions on and off for days (2-3 mins apart at one stage) but stopped!

3rd sweep at 41 weeks - Lots of blood loss after and losing my plug but no contractions.

I really don't know if I can face going through a 4th sweep to be left disappointed again It's so draining. But then again I'm gutted and sad at the thought of having to be induced!

What do you think I should do?

(I'm 2cm dilated, cervix is soft and central)

Thanks x

[followTheyellowbrickRoad]

Hopefully you will have baby before then. Sounds like you are ready. I wouldn't have another sweep.

[molyholy]

Sweeps are very painful. I was having a biggun (just shy of 10lb) due on 20th december. Nothing happening. Had a sweep on 2 days before due date as consultant was going off for christmas and I went to my sisters straight afterwards and cried cos it was horrible, so for you. I would insist on being induced. Why do u think u would be upset at being induced? I just wanted the baby out to see who we were going to meet. Its not being a failure to be induced. Sometimes nature needs a helping hand. Good luck.

[MintChocAddict]

I'm not having any more babies but if I was there's no way I'd have another sweep. Had two with DC2 which had no effect other than to be incredibly painful. The head of the bed was against the wall and I swear at one point I thought I was going through it. Shudder...

The midwife was very lovely but gentle she was not!

[LifeInJeneral]

I think baby woll come when ready and it won't be long before they induce you (I know everyone says annoying shit like this when you are overdue) my boy was born overdue 5 months ago and there was nothing I wouldn't have done to get him out faster. I had a sweep and he came along 2 days later but I think it was fluke. Have a long walk as that seemed to start me off but I'd just wait it out now especially if they are painful. Good luck 😙

[LouBlue1507]

Thanks ladies :)

I do feel like a failure.. I've done everything I can to help baby along!
(walks, bouncing on ball, DTD, hot food, sweeps etc.)

I just wanted that oh I'm in labour, baby is coming excitement rather than going into hospital and being induced, so clinical and planned

It's just horrible when things don't go the way you expected!

[napmeistergeneral]

You already have a date for induction. So I would say sit back and relax for these final few days. A sweep might work but why bother if it's stressing you out, your baby is coming out one way or another....I was due to be induced (having refused all sweeps) but had baby through spontaneous labour the morning of the induction appointment. So it could still happen naturally. But don't torture yourself and try to enjoy your last few days of pregnancy. Despite what some might say, no-one really gets to choose what happens in their labour, so please don't feel sad or guilty about induction. You will do brilliantly whatever happens.

[molyholy]

It is Lou, but believe me. You will still have a labour if you get induced! You sound abit more mother earth than me. I took all the drugs available and then some!! You cannot predict this stuff! You just have to go with your gut. Please come back with an update post baby and let us know how you get on . Good luck. Whatever way it happens will pale into comparison when you are holding that bundle of joy in your arms.

[molyholy]

Insignificance. Not comparison. Sorry. Have had a

[napmeistergeneral]

Cross post. This is what I mean. Please do not feel like you are a failure before you've even gone into labour! Whatever happens, induced or otherwise, you should try and remember that there are things you can't control in labour. But what you can try and do is be accepting and positive of the situation. And remember it's not your "fault" if you don't have the perfect, intervention-free, dp gazing into your eyes, "I just breathed through the pain" birth. Good luck and I hope everything goes well for you.

[babypeach]

Don't forget that birth is expected anywhere from 37 to 42 weeks anywhere inside of that is considered normal by birth professionals. Sweeps are offered but as you've found there effectiveness is mixed!

Is this your first baby?

Although you are not in labour yet often those early contractions may be helping to gently nudge baby into better position and as you've said your cervix is soft and 2cmso your body is already on its way to labour starting, particularly if this is first baby. Those are signs that the cervix is changing and are all positive and encouraging.
What position is baby in? If posterior position sometimes this can lead to a longer stage of on of contractions as baby moves round.

You're not a failure. Have faith in your body and your baby. Both are working together to get everything ready before labour sets in. Whether or not you feel comfortable having another sweep at this stage is up to you but either way trust that your body will know when the time is right.

For now feed, rest and gather your energy for labour and birth xx

[Brightredpencil]

I had several sweeps with dc2 and yes awful and painful. I have Just seen on another thread that it can aggravate and swell the cervix and the implication was that it can prevent full dilation - which is interesting andakes me wonder about my emergency c section... however I am in no way medically trained regarding this so pure speculation. Good luck x

[PrincessPotsie]

You don't have to be induced and can refuse and wait for labour to start naturally.

[FlorisApple]

I don't really believe in sweeps anymore. I had about 4 with my DD and none of them worked, and the final one was absolutely excruciating. I wonder what the evidence for them is, frankly. Good luck! Your baby will be here soon!

[FlorisApple]

Oh that is interesting Brightredpencils. I never really dilated much and after 55hours was given a c-section.

[Thataintnoetchasketch]

I was the same OP - I went 14 days over & finally agreed to be induced. I'd been pretty upset but made my peace with it & packed expecting to be in for days with a long, drawn out labour & all the complications of being induced.

I was one cm dilated when I had the first pessary and that was enough to kick start labour later that night. I had a really lovely pool birth in the end with no intervention needed & was home same day. It sounds like you're ready - hopefully induction will just be enough to tip you over into labour. In the end I found the day of my induction exciting - we were going into hospital & one way or another we were going to be leaving with our LO.

[icklekid]

Good luck op just focus on the fact that this time next week you should be home with your beautiful baby so no matter what Happens- sweep/induction/intervention/waterbirth/c-section how can you possibly have failed?

[ICJump]

Like that I went 40+14 and then chose an induction.
It was a great birth! I used a shower then a pool with has and air. I felt empowered and joyous afterwards.

I

[EnidB]

I had a sweep and ended up with an emergency C-section. I failed at every point in my birth plan - but I walked out of hospital 10 days after delivery with a fabulous boy (then 10.5 lbs - nearly killed me, now 13 and one of my pride and joys - dd too) Your baby will come, and my best wishes and congratulations. It is the end result you want, everything else is fluff. Be kind to yourself - it is just about to get hugely more unpredictable

[Mouikey]

I'm about to drop this week too (eviction papers served for Friday, but hoping baby comes before). We tried for a sweep last week but too high... Having another on Monday but I am dreading it... I've been told you can ask them to stop and they should. Sweeps won't magically work but they 'bother' the cervix to release the prostaglandins which can help to bring on labour. It's not uncommon to have 5 and they not work BUT I was told that they can also help to improve induction and make it more efficient (which I'm not having!).

You don't have to have anything your not
Comfortable with and they should listen to you. Good luck x

[Mouikey]

Oh, and whatever happens you are not a failure... Your body will do what it needs to. Don't call your plan a plan because that builds up your expectations, call it your preferences (sounds silly but does make a different esp for a control freak like me!!) xx

[LouBlue1507]

Thank you so much for your reassuring words ladies I feel a lot better now, what will be will be! As long as baby is here happy and healthy!

Believe it or not I don't have a birth plan, I'm really willing to go with the flow and take anything as and when needed, I just didn't expect induction! But ah well!

I should have my beautiful baby girl by next weekend x

[AtAt]

I'm due on saturday and am seeing the midwofe next week. I have a feeling they will offer me a sweep, but I think I'm going to decline it, and see what happens. When baby wants to come, it will come.

[Sneeze182]

As a midwife, I personally wanted all the sweeps I could get. Induction Is often a long tedious process so I'd take the chance the sweep might work- nothing to lose.

[Flisspaps]

I wouldn't have another sweep. However I'd also decline induction unless there was a medical issue with me or the baby.

[Sneeze182]

The medical issue is the increase in still birth associated with going well over due. The decision Is how much risk you personally feel comfortable with.