first sweep?

[GeorgiaT2468]

Hiya,

I don't know if there are standard or personal rules as to when you can have a sweep to help encourage labour however I was wondering if I can request one before due date?

I'm 38.5 weeks pregnant, can I have before or when's the closest after my due date?

Thanks xx

[AliceRick1]

I was offered my first sweep on my due date and then a few days later.

[lemon101]

I think in the NHS the rule is you have to be 40 weeks unless there is a medical necessity for you to give birth earlier.

[GoApeShit]

I had two, first one was on my due date. As lemon said, they won't give you one earlier unless there's a really valid reason.

[GeorgiaT2468]

Ok so I'm guessing due date it is lol roll on that bloody day!! Xx

[Chattycat78]

To be honest I wouldn't be in a rush to have one before due date anyway. I had one at 39 weeks and because my body was nowhere near ready to go into labour, the midwife couldn't get to my cervix and it was literally agony. I was screaming the house down.

[Pollyputhtekettleon]

You don't want to go into labour until baby and your body are ready. I don't get this obsession with making baby come out early (unless medically necessary of course)! You'll end up with possibly a prolonged and slow labour, because body isn't ready, and a baby whose gastrointestinal system could have done with a bit longer inside. Every day inside you the grow and develop safely. Let them stay till they are ready as they know better than anyone when to come out.

[GeorgiaT2468]

Hi all I am 38+1 weeks pregnant and I'm guessing like many pregnant mums Iv now had enough and can't wait for my babba to be here.

Iv stressed to my midwife and consultant how much discomfort I'm in with several things and how my quality of life has dropped these past few weeks but they won't consider induction at this point.

It's fine they are the professionals but I was wondering if there were any ways I could help encourage labour at all?

Iv had a repeated ear infection my whole pregnancy that they now officially cannot treat due to medication being unsafe for pregnant women. My ear and face is so swollen and I'm in agony.

I have developed hemeroids which are now the size of a large Apple coming out of me (I'm so sorry for that info) but I can't sit, stand, lay, use the toilet or anything without being in complete agony, they bleed and when I use the toilet I cannot stand the pain or the fact I cannot wipe myself after and have to shower after every toilet use. Which is more than frequent due to the lactulouse I'm on to keep my stools soft ect. Iv not felt pain like it and trying to walk, so school runs or housework is hell.

I have pelvic displacia and can bearly walk with that either.

My back and groin is throbbing and I'm beginning to hunch over when I walk and I just cry cry cry cry all bloody day and night, I'm not sleeping and feel sick constantly with the pain.

I have two other children 2.5 and 5.5 who I basically look after alone due to my partners working hours. We cannot afford for him to be off to help me because we strictly will not survive financially!

I feel low and isolated and to be honest really has enough.

I want to play with the kids and get my housework done at least but I just end up in a ball on the sofa.

Not to mention I'm absolutely massive to the point where my stretch marks are splitting!!

Please could anyone share some advice for me?

Baby's size is fine, baby is healthy and in the right position, I'm healthy and have no medical concerns in that respect. But consultant and midwife say you will be fine it will soon come around.

I have begged and sobbed but no they won't budge.

Xx

[GeorgiaT2468]

Just to explain why I would like to be considered for an earlier sweep Iv copied and posted the above post which I put under the category of natural ways to encourage labour.

Just thought they may consider me but they won't xx

[Pollyputhtekettleon]

Ah Georgia, that's truly miserable. I would personally ally consider that decent enough medical reasons to induce you, let alone a sweep. I don't know what to suggest as I don't believe in raspberry leaf tea and all that shite. Can you change midwives? Or change to private and get a consultant on board?

[Pollyputhtekettleon]

Do you have pessaries for the haemorrhoids? Use this time to try to get them under control. The cream is useless when they are anyway bad but the pessaries do work after a few days of diligent application (along with cream).

[CrumpetHead]

First pregnancy I had my first sweep on my due date (then about another 4 sweeps in the next week or so) none of them worked and I had an emcs at 42+1

This time (I'm 36+4 now) I'm gonna try for a VBAC, they've said that they'll start giving me sweeps from 38 weeks. Not sure why, maybe it's because I only had a section 15 months ago?

[GeorgiaT2468]

Yeah I have pessaries they just ain't cutting it I cry putting them in and end up with cramps for hours.

Iv seem 3 different midwives as on occasions mine has been unavailable.. Which is ok as I hate the snobby cow anyway but still all midwives say the same bla bla.

I have a consultant which I'm seeing tomorrow for an appointment but he hates me and I hate him so I can't imagine it will turn out very well I don't feel comfortable in the room with him but he's the one making my ultimate decisions says the midwife. Her words- "it's up to your consultant not you, it's common in pregnancy, many pregnant women are worse than you you know".

I'm not disputing that at all, no doubt pregnant women are worse off than me, I'm not many pregnant women though, I'm one pregnant woman who's personally feeling like shite and I'd like some support. Iv not been any trouble or asked for a thing or complained. I'm just in agony and feel like I'm being cared for out of a text book. Is there really no way they will treat me as an individual and consider helping me? Clearly not, Iv asked for sweep, inducing me, c section options, medication, a different cream and I was that desperate and emotional at my last midwife appointment I even asked for a bloody cuddle from the midwife lol as I was sat there sobbing and shaking from the pain I just needed someone to give me a little hope in feeling a bit better.

A pat on the back and it will be ok, let's get you booked in to see us again in a few weeks is what I got.

Takes me 5 minutes to do/walk the school run normally,past few weeks and today included took me 30 minutes or so. Some of the nice mums always come to talk to me and walk with me which is nice.

My partner literally can't be off work to help other that his days off because if he takes the time off we would be screwed, payments to meet and some debt that we are in a management plan with for a few things. (Past issues that have crept up extremely unexpectedly and not fair either). So fuming at that also. 6 hours on the phone today as well to try and explain circumstances and to reduce some payments momentarily but got told basically to swivel. Stressed grrrrrrrr

Sorry to rant. Mumsnet seems to be my offloading place at the moment.

Xx

[Pollyputhtekettleon]

You will get through this OP and you are so nearly there. Hats off for hanging in there. Screw the housework and turn the TV on for the kids. Is there another mum who might do the school run for you?

You just need to hang on a couple of weeks but it may even be only till tomorrow, you just don't know.

[GeorgiaT2468]

That's true yeah could be any time.

I don't have anyone no as we moved away to where we new no one to keep my son feeling safe and settled from something that happened a few years ago. So it's just us but it's how I love it.

Plus Iv turned my slow walking into a game with the kids, the slower I am the quicker they are so meaning they win the race to school lol they think it's great and laugh and tell me I'm a snail lol so it works well for my little munchkins xxxx

[lilac3033]

I was offered a sweep by my midwife the day before my due date. I had had contractions for three consecutive nights that just petered out. I was exhausted. Luckily I was 1-2cm dialated and the sweep worked. DD arrived on her due date.

[GeorgiaT2468]

Cool.. My scan is the day before my due date and depending on baby's measurements they will just go straight to inducing me. I'd rather a sweep in that day though and give it 72 hours, if it doesn't work then be induced but would like to have a sweep first off though. Il ask next week xx