Midwife said at sweep…

I had a horrific induction that ended in forceps and very serious life changing birth injuries. I wasn’t informed of any of the risks by the hospital, but if I had been informed I would have definitely chosen an elective c section over induction (I was young, fit and healthy now I’m severely disabled).

That being said, it was my first child so if your body has given birth before I think you are potentially more likely to have a better experience.

DC1 induction was pretty hard and long; DC2 born in their own time; DC3 induction was much faster and easier, I think bcs I'd had previous births. Honestly the worst was DC2 - was huge and took forever. So I'd say you'll probably be ok, especially if your cervix is already softening. Good luck OP!

My third was induced. Best. Birth. Ever. Fast, easy and with a good epidural essentially pain free. I hate the induction horror stories. It's not always bad and in my case was by far my easiest birth.

I wish I could give you a positive vibe about being induced I went through it only 2wks ago and it was horrific. Emergency c section for me, my DS is well and thriving but deffo will not be doing it again.
good luck!! 🤞🏻

All that it is saying is that your cervix is about 2cm long at that time, and that's meaningless when trying to predict how quickly you will labour. A cervix can change quickly, and it's individual how you will react to the prostaglandins given during an induction.

On a.oersonal.note I've had three births, one spontaneous but I ended up being augmented, one spontaneous and quick and one induction. I didn't find the induction any more painful then the spontaneous labour.

But she doesn't have to. Asking for a section is perfectly valid other option.

I got induced 39+5 and she was out 12 hours later. Needed a blood transfusion but I was fine, probably cause my labour was really quick it shocked my body a bit they said. Not sure if this is different for second babies.

DC3 was induced at 38w, after 2 SVD (DC1 was 9 days overdue and DC2 came day after due date).

I had niggles immediately after pessary went in but for 22 hours they were manageable. Then labour kicked off properly and baby arrived within an hour.

Due to timings - my induction didn't start until midnight in the end - I was away from my older 2 for two nights.

Best of luck!

It means your body is showing signs of being ready but not ready enough to birth soon naturally. Although in reality it means absolutely nothing really. Nothing to say baby couldn't come soon.

I was told just before my due date at sweep that I was very favourable and she did the sweep, told me I'd probably be having a baby very soon maybe even that night/next day. Well over a week later I was well overdue and had to be induced!

Inductions aren't always slow, awful and painful. Yes mine was and ended up in emcs but my sil delivered within 5hrs start to finish!

DC 3 & 4 were both delivered quickly after waters went even though DC3 was ARM.

DC4 was 2 weeks overdue (DC3 induction on due date was I have naturally very long pregnancies I'd easy be a 43 weeker) my waters broke they checked straight away and I was 8cm, the crowned, then delivered so official labour was 1 minute 🤣

Exactly. And there is so much fear factor around inductions that it really doesn't help.
We are so used to medical interventions that we forget two of the most dangerous things you can do is be born, and give birth.

Op calm and all will be fine 🙂

She does have to do it. Her placenta is failing

All 3 of my babies were induced around 37-38 weeks because of blood pressure problems. All fine. First one took a long time. Second baby they were able to break my waters straight away and he was born 20 minutes later. Dh missed it because he was at the shop, assuming it would take hours for anything to happen.

Good luck. I hope all goes well for you.

My first induction took ages - got labour going but was slow and long (2 days). Second induction the pessary seems to have got my cervix ready as midwife gave me a sweep and less than 6 hours later (after much bouncing on a birthing ball) dd2 was here.

eta both were at 41 weeks and due to reduced movements

I was in a similar position with placenta and they wanted to induce at 38 weeks. I refused the induction and opted for a c section instead. Mostly due to knowing the threshold for going to emergency cs was lower and the higher risk of needing an assisted birth with induction were things I felt strongly about. If I could have gone naturally to full term I woke have but that wasn't an option so c section worked best for me. The added bonus for my eldest was knowing exactly when is be going in to plan.

If you've had two vaginal births after spontaneous labours already, odds are very high that you'll have a successful induction. Good luck.

Good luck @Sleepdeprivedmamma!

My midwife and consultant told me constantly that my baby would be born within two hours and he was not 😅 But the experience was okay; and its supposed to be a lot, lot faster and smoother if you’ve given birth before.

I hope baby is with you soon!

I was induced with my 3rd a few weeks ago and it was intense once my waters went (spontaneously- I only needed the pessary in the end) and she arrived quickly. I was told the intensity is normal but on the positive side it all happened very fast so it was over quickly. As your previous births were fast without intervention, you’ll probably find the same thing, especially if your births were more recent as you’ll body will remember better what to do. I had a gap of over 10 years between 2nd and third births and I was warned the induction might be a long process as if it was my first baby as my cervix had gone back to pre birth position or something. Sweeps did not work for me.

Hi OP - I'd also ask your consultant or midwife how they expect your baby will tolerate an induction vs a c-section. Hopefully no concerns there but I think it's worth being direct.

I had high blood pressure (which developed into preeclampsia right at the end) and placenta issues. I started off with a balloon induction, which is thought to be more gentle, but then lost a lot of blood and switched to an emergency c-section.

Afterwards various consultants who checked on us said it was a good thing we switched as DD was so small she likely wouldn't have done well in a vaginal birth. I was a little bemused as they knew how small she was beforehand but none of them had presented a vaginal birth as particularly risky.

You may not have that issue but I would still ask the question directly to make sure. All the best for the rest of your pregnancy and birth! 💐

You need to relax. Being tense and worried won't help.
Are you able to go for a massage of some description?

I swear it was a back massage that put me into labour with my first.
It was spur of the moment I walked in and asked could they do me a back massage, they were yes we can fit you in but can you lie on your front (I hadn't thought about that issue). I lay on my side and they gave me a gentle massage. Bliss!

I know many people will think this is a myth and it may well be, but I heard about all the stuff that helps you when in labour - raspberry leaf tea, dates etc. Ordered the tea but didn't get a chance to drink it because I went into labour 3 days after ordering... however I ate 7 dates for 3 days in a row and day 4 I was in labour at 38 weeks and it all went very well. Might be silly of me to think but I reckon the dates helped me along

I imagine she meant your cervix is stretching and effacing/shortening and that's what the two centimetres left refers to. Essentially she is saying it's shortening well showing progress towards a spontaneous labour or at least a successful induction. Sounds like an induction will work out for you. Good luck!