Failed sweep today advice needed

[Kittiwake]

Any advice/experiences gratefully received by worried first timer.

I am 41 weeks today saw midwife for sweep earlier and she could not reach to do it as my cervix was 'very posterior' Has anyone else had this and then gone on to have their baby soon afterwards?

Midwife is going to try again on Thursday and I am now booked in for induction for a week today which I really want to avoid. I was hoping for a natural birth at my MLU and now am looking at induction at a general hospital. Obviously a healthy baby is all I really want but I am now worried that my cervix is not going to ripen and I am going to end up with a failed induction and a CS. I have not felt any BH at all this preganancy. Is it is possible to have a cervix that just doesn't want to contract?

I have tried all the usual suggestions sex/nipplestim/orgasm/walks/bouncing on ball/baths/visualising positive birth etc.etc. just get the feeling either the baby or my body not ready and these things are not making a blind bit of difference

[coleyboy]

Mine wasn't quite the same situation as you, but my (very experienced) MW gave me a sweep at 41 weeks and said that my cervix felt like a 37 week cervix!!

I went into a major panic as I wanted a homebirth. However 2 days later my contractions started by themselves, and I had ds the next day.

If you feel neither of you are ready, it is unlikely to happen. Why do you think you aren't ready? Are you apprehensive or scared? Do you have anyone to talk to about it so you can get yourself into the right frame of mind? Do you have any holistic practitioners around who may be able to help?

You don't have to be induced if both you and the baby are ok.

[Indith]

I had pretty much sod all until mine was born at 42 weeks on the dot. There is always hope!

Mine was over the christmas period, loads of films to watch while bouncing and twiddling

Good luck!

[pooka]

I had a failed sweep when 40+3. Was told very unfavourable, but that might get odd discharge and you never know.
Went into labour at 41 weeks exactly. The midwives were surprised - they'd been certain I would go on for longer. After I had the sweep (though not a sweep, more of a bit of a painful jiggle) I had bloody show on and off for a couple of days and dh and I tried to get things going at 40+5. Also lots of nipple stim and just keeping active looking after dd.
In the end, had a few gripey pains on the day, then at 6pm started having the odd contraction. At 7pm was begging for a midwife (none available for my homebirth - because they had thought unlikely I would go into labour). Got to hospital at 8pm and ds born (in his waters - they didn't break) just before 9pm.
First time with dd, I had a sweep on my due date, in hospital, after I had gone in having had intermittent contractions for 2 days on and off. She was born about 5 hours later. My waters broke about an hour after I had the sweep.

[pooka]

Agree that induction is entirely your choicce. Try not to worry about it, as a looming date ahead of you. Easier said than done, I know.
Also agree re: the cycle lengths. With dd was 28 day cycles dead on. And she was born on her due date. With ds, had nearer 34 day cycles and he was 1 week late.

[coleyboy]

Oh, and I only had a few BH - and that was only after an orgasm

[Kittiwake]

wow thanks for quick responses!

Coley I feel mentally ready to go.... in fact I can't wait to get on with labour, I just meant that things don't seem to be happening/ready physically!! that's good to hear that you had you lo soon after an unfavourable sweep though.

Thanks Indith and pooka just goes to show this birthing business is pretty unpredictable

Loopy those are good odds must stay positive! I am sure of date of conception (as only time we had sex that cycle ) and always 28 days so pretty sure EDD correct, scan conformed this.

If I refuse induction am I putting baby at greater risk or is this countered by monitoring etc?

[coleyboy]

There are many ways of bringing on labour, but they will only work if the baby is ready.

Reflexology
Osteopathy (if you can find one who would be willing to treat you)
Clary Sage Oil - rubbed into your belly and burned in an oil burner.
Pineapple
Sex - lots of orgasms and nipp stimulation.
Raspberry Leaf Tea - swallow the tablets like they're going out of fashion!
Eating something that will give you the trots.

There is nothing wrong with going past what is classed as 'normal' term as long as you are both well. Many hospitals are willing to 'let' you go overdue as long as both of you are closely montiored (scans, making sure the baby is still moving etc).

All is not lost! You still may go into labour on your own. Don't lose faith in yourself. When you are snuggled up in your bed tonight, lay back and visualise you and your dp meeting your baby for the first time. It will be soon!

[Kittiwake]

Thanks for this it is just what I needed some facts and positive thoughts! I am generally a very positive person and do believe very strongly in the power of this so it's not like me to get in a negative stew

Just was not the news I was hoping for today and really got to me.

Hopefully by the next midwife appt on Thursday things will have moved on a bit. I will hold that lovely though Coley

[coleyboy]

Good on your Kittiwake, move away from the negative and focus on the positive.

A lady I knew gave me some great visualisation techniques based on meeting my unborn baby, they were so vivid they moved me to tears (of joy, excitement and anticipation!)

I'm sure the hormones they produce help things along.

Good luck xx

[bambi06]

my third baby[now 6 eeks old] was 23 days late ..and refused to be born even after two unfavourable sweeps..i was adamant i wanted my last baby born at home and all the midwives were brill at letting me decide what happened .i went and had daily monitoring after 42 1/2 weeks which was fine ..baby just didnt want to come out like all my others..both my other kids were late,its a family tradition!! in the end though i had to be induced as my waters broke and afer 30 hours i had an infection starting and it was safer to have to be induced .. hang in there and wait and see.

[Klaw]

I had a failed attempt at sweep at 41 wks and again at 41+5 (well, she barely knicked some show away at that one), and then when I was at cons appt at 42wks (cos I cancelled induction they booked) to arrange for expectant management, they tried again and it was successful. 2cms dilated with a Bishop's score of 8. I went into labour that night and had my VBAC the next day!!!

This made me realise that there's no point risking demoralisation, accidental breaking of waters, infection etc and will not try sweeps in a future pg... but I do understand, having been there myself, the desperation to get things moving. Now, I can be patient and wait as I have the benefit of hindsight!

If I was you I'd plan a nice treat for every day for the next.....oooohhh... 8 days at least! You know, a massage from dh, a coffee with friend, window shopping, lovely swim, reflexology, indian head massage.... and don't worry about anything, chill, relax and before you know it you'll be posting about early labour!!!

[JaamityvilleHorror]

Sorry, not had chance to read all the posts as I was just on my way to bed when I spotted this. Both my DDs were overdue.

DD1 was born less than 24 hours after first sweep at 41+6 weeks.

Eventually had waters broken for DD2. Cervix was "very posterior" when midwife tried to do a sweep at 41+3 weeks. Sweep at 42 weeks had no effect. Finally arrived at 42+2 weeks.

But it was my choice to be induced with DD2 and I think if I have another pg I would be quite happy to wait it out (as long as DC is ok).

I got fed up of people telling me I must have got my dates/cycle wrong but I always went by the dates from the scans and they were still wrong. Baby will arrive when they're good and ready.

Very best of luck and enjoy new baby, whenever they decide to put in an appearance!

[meandmy]

nothing to suggest i had two sweeps the first on sunday and mw couldnt reach, then a week after i had another sweep at hospital on the monday when i had gone into labour, went home cpl hours later was back in hosp giving birth to my gorgeous dd, chill out do stuff for you enjoy the time before baby arrives

[Sushipaws]

Had my first sweep at 40+5 but was given a generous due date. It hurt like hell and was told I was nowhere near. Had one 3 days later and it kind of worked. Had dd the next day after a super quick labour and problem free birth.

We wish you lots of luck.

[Kittiwake]

Thanks everyone for advice

I am feeling much more positive today and focusing on taking each day as it comes rather than worrying about what might happen.

Have got some good advice here and seems that everything could change very suddenly so I am trying to focus on this and take Klaw's advice of planning some nice things to do for next week

I have had such a great pregnancy so far and was feeling pretty preparedish for labour, just wasn't expecting this to be the tricky bit

[Klaw]

That's MUCH better! Don't worry about when it will happen, rather enjoy the twilight of pg cos you'll miss it when it's gone and you have to share your baby with everyone else!

Stress will only delay labour anyway as your body will not birth a baby into danger, it's a normal animalistic instinct, the Fight or Flight thing.... you can read about it more here if you wish.

Stay warm, well fed, keep fluid levels up, stay away from interfering people and relax!

[leo1978]

Poor you - I had exactly the same experience. Booked in for Induction at 13 days overdue - ended up going into labour the night before. Everyone kept telling me to enjoy being pregnant while it lasted but I was likme 'bring it on' - I;ve waited forever!
I recommend a pregnancy massage and a pedicure. And prepare for a positive induction experience just in case. Either way, in less than a week your lovely baby will be with you. Keep the faith!
x

[Kittiwake]

Thanks leo appreciate that! still nothing going on here feeling much more positive that something will hapen and if it doesn't so be it. Massage good idea but limited options round here I live in mid wales in the middle of nowhere will have a look around though.

Thanks for the scones and hot choc Klaw!!! actually I had a lovely day yesterday went to a local garden centre and bought 100's of bulbs for my garden then came home and planted them in the sunshine. Figured I will enjoy looking at them with my baby next spring . Meeting a friend for a swim today so keeping busy but relaxed as you suggested.

[NineUnlikelyTales]

I am seriously impressed that you can bend enough to plant bulbs

[FlossALump]

Oh I do know how you feel!! FWIW I found around the time of 39-41 weeks the hardest. After that I resigned myself to an induction so knew that my baby would be with me soon. Not at all like the home birth I had planned but I still got my lovely DD at the end of it so no regrets at all! Good luck!

[Kittiwake]

Nine - actually I must have looked a picture down on my hands and knees scrabbling around! my aunt told me scrubbing the kitchen floor worked for her so not that different I guess

Thanks Floss has been a funny old week! I actually am feeling really excited today that by this time next week I will finally have my baby

[Klaw]

Kittiwake, down on your hands and knees planting bulbs is perfect!!! It will encourage optimal foetal positioning, as will some gentle swimming. Well done!!

Kitchen floor tomorrow?

[foosfan]

Kittiwake I am in the same boat as you!
I was due on the 17th and had a failed sweep yesterday and have been booked in for induction next Tues which I dont want as was hoping for a waterbirth in my local low risk unit and induction means I have to go to a different hospital 15 miles away.
I have to get her out before Monday night I've tried everything now, even tried to do a sweep myself last night in the bath!!
Don't know what I'm feeling for thogh so gave up in the end.
Wot a muppet