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Childbirth

Just had a sweep, baby still only 4/5ths down - any tips??

12 replies

franch · 31/07/2007 15:42

This is SIL, not me. Only thing that ever worked for me was acupuncture - no one suitable in SIL's area (middle of nowhere) so I don't know what to suggest.

Cervix is ripening, EDD was just yesterday but she's 40 and they won't let her go far overdue, sadly - booked in for induction Fri, which she really wants to avoid (not least because I had a traumatic one with DD1).

Anyone got anything I can offer her?

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Ceolas · 31/07/2007 15:46

I went into labour 2 days after a sweep with steady show in between.

All sounds promising.

Could she get reflexology? Most things will only help if the baby's ready to be born, I believe.

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LadyOfTheFlowers · 31/07/2007 15:48

if her cervix is effacing that's a good sign. you cant really make it happen if the baby is not ready though.

personally for me, the only things that worked were gravity related things like watching telly sat rocking on a gym ball or sitting backwards on a chair. these positions help the baby get into the best position for birth.
a long walk up a steep hill and back brought ds1 on, a sweep brought ds2 on the next day so the sweep may do the trick for her.

good luck!

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franch · 31/07/2007 15:48

Thanks Ceolas - that's very positive

I'm at the other end of the country - can't stand the suspense

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Twinkie1 · 31/07/2007 15:48

Get herself a birth ball and sit on it for a few days - legs wide as you can and rock - it works honestly!

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franch · 31/07/2007 15:50

Thanks too lady - have advised her to walk or dance around - she's feeling sick right now tho so is lying down - but I reckon the sickness is a good sign - fingers crossed

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franch · 31/07/2007 15:54

Yes I found ball very good too twink - not sure if she'll be able to get hold of one where she is but will see if my brother can be sent on a mission

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franch · 31/07/2007 16:01

Oops SIL just told me she meant 3/5ths down - not so good

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LadyOfTheFlowers · 31/07/2007 16:06

if you mean the head is 3/5 engaged, which i am sure you do, then dont worry a jot about it.
it is no indication at all as to wether she will go into labour soon.
first babies can engage at any time from 36 (?) weeks and change their minds 3 or 4 times if they want.
ds1 spent the last month bobbing up and down and i got disheartened every time, but it really is not an indicator.
that should perk her up!

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franch · 31/07/2007 16:08

Thanks lady that is comforting

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franch · 01/08/2007 17:03

Well, she had a show this morning ......

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LadyOfTheFlowers · 02/08/2007 09:32

any news here yet please?

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franch · 09/08/2007 14:20

Thanks for asking Lady - nothing worked and in the end she was induced but it was fairly minimal - just one dose of the gel on Friday morning, and things got going - full labour started around 2am Sat, and baby was out at 3.30am!

All went really well - nothing like the horrible induction I had - and my little niece and SIL are fine.

Thanks for all the advice - I do think all the walking and the gym ball (she did get hold of one) did get things moving which is why she didn't need a full-on induction in the end.