What happens after 40 weeks?

[catwoman75]

So, I'm 40 weeks today and have an appt with the midwife. I had loads of pre labour symptoms from 36-39 weeeks but for the last week it's all been rather quiet. I'm now getting myself prepared for another couple of weeks and possible induction.

What happens next please?

1. When is it usual to have a sweep? And how many? Do they hurt and more importantly, do they actually work?
2. Will I be monitered at hospital?
3. When will I be induced?

Is there anything else I should ask the midwife today? I'd quite like to my head around the timescale of things.

[egypt]

My local area in the UK would wait until day 12 to induce. In the meantime my mw gave me a sweep at around day 7 or 8 I think it was. DD was luckily born on day 11

You should still get monitored just once a week I think. Just a sit and wait it out game really.

No need to monitor at hosp unless there is a reason.

Sweeps dont hurt, just like a smear test feeling really. They don't always work.

[egypt]

enjoy your last few days of relaxing.

really!

[EffiePerine]

What do YOU want to do? Your mw should explain the options and you can choose more or less monitoring as you wish.

[merryberry]

You stay pregnant for EVER. No seriously felt like that when I went to just 40+10. Had sweeps, reflexology etc. Had an indy MW though so she was sweep happy, had no particular protocol for it. Didn;'t hurt til 3rd one, didn't really work - got more pre-labour contractions, but not real labour.

Had an induciton booked in hosp for 10th day past 40 weeks. Got very blue about that as don't like inductions, but then once had my big weep/sulk: bingo - went into labour 10 hours before appt time. My hosp would have seen me twice from 40 to 40+10 and then every couple of days if I decided to keep going.

I spent a lot of time in water to cope with the aches and heaviness.

[deaconblue]

I had a sweep at 7 days and another at 9. I think it's standard to leave them 2 days apart. Didn't hurt any more than a smear test and I suspect the 2nd one got me going but not until 2 days later.
I think it depends on local area when they induce and also whether or not you want them to. My local area with ds usually induced at 10 days overdue but I wanted to wait so my induction was booked for day 14. He was born day 13.
I doubt you will be monitored at hospital unless you have any health issues. I only saw usual midwife.

[Nbg]

Where we live you are offered induction at 12 days over and you can have a sweep 7 days over.
I really do think that is varies in different parts of the country.

I didnt need a sweep with my first but had them for my other 2 children.

With the first sweep, I went into labour 4 days later and that was with the MW saying that I was very favourable. This made ds1 10 days late.
With ds2 the MW said I wasnt favourable at all and I had him later that day.

So who can tell

A sweep isnt painful just uncomfortable.

[catwoman75]

Thanks, I've been offered a sweep next Fri so fingers crossed something will happen before then.

[TLSM]

although a sweep isnt really painful I had one this morning at about 10 - 39+6 so one day behind you and I must say I have had a belly ache ever since and feel a little sore down below.