40 weeks - unsuccessful sweep :(

[user1479905737]

Hi all,

Feeling very disheartened. Midwife tried to perform a sweep but she said I am not dilated and cervix still posterior (2cm). Baby is still only 4/5 engaged.

Really don't want to be induced as would like to feel like my body did it myself :(

Has anyone else been in similar position and still gone into labour naturally or is it likely I'll be induced?

Have been trying to walk and bounce on the ball a lot. X

[Dixiechick17]

Not me, but my friend wasn't able to have a sweep, she was told that her cervix was unfavourable and that she'd no way go naturally, baby wasn't even slightly engaged. She went into labour naturally at 40+5 and the baby arrived in seven hours.

[user1479905737]

Oh really! That has made me feel much better! I'm only 40 weeks today and I know in pregnancy 10 days is a long time but to hear that is basically not favourable at all is so upsetting!!

Did she do anything in particular in those days to get things moving? X

[Dixiechick17]

Not really, it was over Christmas so I think that was a bit of a distraction for her, my cervix was favourable from 37 weeks and dilated, baby engaged at 32 weeks and I still went overdue, so it can go either way. I popped on the day that I decided to do nothing to bring on labour. Ball bouncing and walking up and downstairs sideways is meant to help.

[user1479905737]

Ok thank you. I have another sweep booked for Monday so I am hoping things look more positive then!

[Silversun83]

I had a first attempt at a sweep at 40+6.. Midwife tried three times but she couldn't even reach my cervix it was so high. Then my contractions started naturally and had a bloody show at 41+2, right before I was due a second sweep. I ended up having an EMCS at 41+5 after being in labour for three days but that's another story!

It is disheartening the further past your due date you go but it is more likely that you will end up going into labour between now and 42 weeks.. Don't forget that in France, they don't actually consider term to be until 41 weeks!

[Cococrumble]

I'm due my third sweep tomorrow! even if the midwife can perform them it doesn't mean they work I feel your pain OP it's so disheartening. I'm staying focussed on the fact that 96% of women go into labour before 40+12 (which is when my hospital will induce) and I'm stalking a probability website - google space fm labour probability - you pop your due date in and it tells you the probability of labour each day in percentages not sure how accurate it is but it's keeping me from going fully crackers

At the most I've got another six days until an induction and in the grand scheme of things that's not too far away really.

[user1479905737]

Silversun it's good to hear your positive story! I know in reality a lot can happen in 10 days (when our area induce) but it is disappointing that on paper in so far off... I have another sweep booked for Monday so I'm hoping for some better news by then. I just really want to avoid induction as it sounds like a long process.

[Silversun83]

I can totally understand.. I actually cried from disappointment after the first attempt (that and the blooming midwife wasn't the most gentle!). Inductions don't necessarily take a long time.. I know at least three people who have been done and dusted within 24 hours (and all first babies!). Whereas I didn't get past 6cm in three days.. There's so many variables.. I know it's easier said than done but try to use the time to relax, sleep etc!

[QuilliamCakespeare]

Baby will come when it is ready. I had an unsuccessful sweep at 40 weeks with DS1 - cervix wasn't favourable at all. I went into labour on the evening of 40+4 and he was here less than 8 hours later. You're so close, hang in there!

[QuilliamCakespeare]

Also, no one can force you to be induced. You can go beyond 10 days if you want as long as you are monitored closely. Your body, your choice.

[MargaretCabbage]

In my first pregnancy I had a sweep at 40+4 and my midwife only just managed to do it, she thought I might end up being induced. I spent all of the next day crying about being pregnant forever and then went into labour during the night and my DS was born the next day.

In my second pregnancy I had a sweep again at 40+4 with no joy. I had a second sweep at 40+11 and was in labour an hour later.

Being overdue is really awful, I found it really lonely and weird the first time. I wouldn't bother with any of the things people tell you might help you go into labour as they're all rubbish (unless they help you pass the time), and try and make the most of the peace and quiet while you're waiting.

[AyeAmarok]

I had a sweep at 40+6, nothing happened. Baby not engaged.

Had another yesterday at 41+4. Still nothing happening, no changes.

I'm being induced at 42 weeks.

[LBOCS2]

With DD2 I had an unsuccessful sweep at 40+1 - MW basically said it was so unfavourable that all she'd done was poke at it a bit.

I had no twinges, braxton hicks, 'signs', nothing. Lost a teensy bit of plug at 40+6. Woke up at 6am at 40+7 because my waters had gone, she arrived at 14.45 after 2.5hrs of active labour.

[LifeLong13]

I had a sweep at 39 weeks (Monday) and she fought to get a finger in my cervix. 2 days later (Wednesday) went for another. I was then 2cm and cervix was soft, in he right place etc. Friday went into full blown labour. She was born on the Sunday! I had the cannula induction but it was all good

[Leonas]

I had a sweep at 8 days over and was told I'm my cervix was unfavourable etc. Had another 3 days later and the midwife (who has tiny hands apparently!) couldn't do it because it was so long/ unfavourable. Was booked for induction 4 days later and I went in to labour myself that morning - waters broke after about 2 hours of contractions 5 mins apart, baby born 35 mins later! Arrived at hospital, babe in arms, 2 hours before my induction appointment

[Flumplet]

I had a failed sweep at 39+5. Wasn't dilated at all. They attempted an induction on due date and that also failed - of you cervix ain't ready it ain't ready for a reason. Try and hold off for natural induction of labour if safe for you to do so, that's my advice.

[SilverHoney]

I had to be induced with both of my pregnancies (41+5 and 41+2). Both times contractions started after the first gel. DD was born within 24 hours and DS within 12.

Hopefully things start naturally for you, but if they don't I just wanted to share my experience of having positive inductions.

Have you thought about acupuncture or reflexology? Didn't work for me, but anythings worth a try! The only technique recommend to me by the midwives was sex! But DH wasn't having any of it...

[GreenGoblin0]

ah don't get disheartened. my first attempted sweep was same as yours. second one was successful and had show and then waters broke following evening. still had to have inducing drugs to speed up labour as wasn't progressing but that's another issue. baby born at 42 weeks...