Induction and sweep advice

[mrstickle77]

Hi ladies,
This is my first post on here, I'm hoping some experienced mummies might be able to advise re a couple of queries.

I am 40 weeks exactly today and no signs of baby making an appearance any time soon.

I had a sweep today. Doctor said my cervix was high and back, so thought it might not work. Since then, I've had a bit of bleeding. I felt it straight afterwards and she said it was normal - but I was wondering how many people had experienced this, is it a 'show' and if I should worry? Its quite dark, not enough to fill a pad, and some has been a bit 'stringey'. sorry tmi!

Also, I have been booked in for an induction at 40+10, at 9.30 am. Should I assume (if baby does not come before) that I am then staying in hospital for the duration til baby comes, or are you able to go home?

Any pointers greatly appreciated. Thanks

[LondonL]

Hi,
Congratulations on making it this far. I'm 40 weeks tomorrow and it really does feel like a marathon, huh?

About the sweep, I've had 2 so far because baby is fully engaged and doctor wanted to find out what was going on with my cervix. Like you, it has been high and back.
After the first sweep, I had period-like cramps and light bleeding. a day later a very thick mucous came out which seemed to be the plug, but then nothing else happened. A week later, I had another internal exam and the doctor did another sweep to try to move things along. That night, I had stronger cramps than the previous time and they lasted much longer. Again, light bleeding but no contractions have started.

I can't answer your induction questions, but thought I could at least tell you what I experienced after the sweeps. I found them uncomfortable as the cervix was so high up and the baby was so low. the cramps were no walk in the park either. Basically, the baby is ready but my body is not... so we're waiting a little longer in hopes that nature will take its course.

I wish you luck and hope this info helps you!

[Tangle]

I've never had a sweep, so can't comment there. What you describe isn't outside the range of what I've read other women go through - but if you're ever at all worried its always worth calling the labour ward and just checking your symptoms.

If you are induced you will be expected to stay in for the duration. Once they've tried to start labour they don't tend to stop until there's a baby!

I don't know how you feel about being induced - but its worth bearing in mind that whilst it might be hospital policy to offer an induction at 40+10, that doesn't mean you have to accept it. WHO define "term" as between 37 and 42 weeks - so at 40+10 you're not at the end of that range yet. If you choose not to accept the offer of induction, you should be offered expectant management instead (where you go in every day/every other day for monitoring).

Sorry for the slight aside . Hope everything starts before then and its all irrelevant. Fingers crossed it goes smoothly :)

[mrstickle77]

Thanks ladies, the bleeding does seem to have stopped now, but I'm going to keep an eye on it overnight and if I get any more I'll give them a call in the morning. Baby is still VV active which is reassuring.

Yes Tangle, hopefully it won't come to that and baby will make an appearance beforehand. I am pretty desperate for it to be asap tbh.

[Flisspaps]

You'll be expected to stay in hospital.

Probably even if they do nothing on the day you are admitted because there is a rush on in the labour ward and you ask to go home rather than spending a pointless night in hospital (bitter, me? No!) so make sure you take enough stuff to keep you entertained for a couple of days.

Does sound a bit like a show though.

Best of luck

[cookingfat]

Bumping. Am 41 weeks tomorrow and have a sweep booked. Baby is fully engaged. Been having cramps today- some painful and lasting a while, but they're just not fierce or regular enough to be proper contractions. This is dc1 so not sure how my body handles labour. Hope this is sth starting, as I really want to avoid induction. Has been smooth sailing so far and I want to use mw-led birth centre, pool, etc.
Any ideas of how to get things going more regularly appreciated.
Sorry for hijack!

[mrstickle77]

Can't help sorry cookingfat. I was told yesterday by my mw that the contractions would start in my back, moving round to the top of my bump - and if it was the real deal I'd know!

She said the only thing she'd recommend among all the traditional tips (sex, rasberry leaf tea, pinapple, curry etc), was lots and lots of walking to help baby progress down, so have been out for a nice long walk with the MIL today.

The bleeding stopped last night and is now just brown discharge, so I'm pretty sure it wasn't successful.

In the meantime, I better pack a few more bits in my bag, just in case the induction does happen.