Midwife said at sweep…

[Sleepdeprivedmamma]

Hello!

Im 37+3
i have to be induced next weekend as i suddenly have really high blood pressure and my placenta has started to slow down (they knew this from a blood test and then a scan that confirmed the placenta is starting to calcify).

terrified of an induction after two really good very very quick births with my first two, they were both a week overdue i feel like thats just when my body is ready so to force it at 39 weeks feels scary - but obviously whatever is safest for baby !

anyway went for a sweep today - as i suspected she said she couldnt really do it as i wasnt ready but that my cervix was soft and shortening ‘only has about 2cm left’ - what does that actually mean?

any positive induction stories?

@Sleepdeprivedmamma - I'm waiting for them to call me with my slot. I wish they could've told me in advance as I didn't sleep very well and on pins and needles waiting this morning! Have you got a time?

I'm having another girl ☺️ how about you?

People worry because they hear tons of horror stories and a cascade of interventions, nothing happening for hours, then contractions being very intense and agony, and potentially ended up with C-Section.

You don't hear much about the folks that gave birth after pessary worked a bit too well. My friend and I have very similar stories, pessary, backache, stood up, and baby born minutes later.

Yes. Induced at 41+ weeks. Two pessaries did nothing and they wanted to start the oxytocin drip. I said fine on condition an epidural was done first. In the half hour wait for the anaesthetist, my waters broke. Once the epidural was in labour was underway and within about 90 minutes dd was born. 8lb 13oz and no stitches. It was a very wonderful birth and very cathartic. It allowed emotional healing to start after two traumatic natural births.

I was already 2cm dilated when I went in for induction and so nothing required except breaking my waters. Contraction started immediately and baby was born 2 hours later. A really positive experience!

Please don't stress about your bishop score especially as you are going to be induced tomorrow. It is only valid for that time you are having a vaginal.examination, and we use it to decide what route to take in terms of whether to give you a prostaglandin, amniotomy etc. Would be better to ask tomorrow as they will offer an examination prior to giving you a prostin or whatever they use at your trust. Cervix's can change quickly.

When I was induced with my third, I had a low Bishop score and sod all contractions, he was born 6-7 hours later (I did go straight on the drip though as I was a SROM)

Take snacks, your own pillow and things that will take your mind away from being in hospital. Take walks when you can, ask for a birthing ball etc. Hope all goes ok and that baby will be here soon.

Hi!
how did you get on @muddlingthrou ? X

Our gorgeous DD was born this morning 😍 I didn't get the induction until late on Sunday night as the hospital was understaffed and backed up. They gave me a 24h pessary and we were convinced it had failed as I was only having random mild contractions throughout most of the day.

But then I spent a few hours trying everything I could think of to kickstart things properly - sat on ball, took walks, massaged my boobs etc. I tried to encourage oxytocin too. No idea of any of that had any effect, but the upshot is that I went to bed for a snooze at 9pm, got up at 10:30 for a wee and felt my waters pop. Contractions started not long after and I spent the night pushing a very big baby almost completely out... then had forceps at the end.

How about you @Sleepdeprivedmamma?

@muddlingthrou ahh congratulations ❤️

DS was born via emergency c section yesterday morning - he is perfect ❤️

@Sleepdeprivedmamma @muddlingthrou congratulations to you both on your new additions! I hope you’re both doing well and getting as much rest as you can!

@Sleepdeprivedmamma and @muddlingthrou Congratulations to you both!

@Sleepdeprivedmamma that's a pity you ended up with a c-section. Sorry the induction didn't go as smoothly as you'd have liked but the important bit is you and baby are both safe and well.

I was just writing a reply and saw your update! Congrats!! X

I had one "natural" labour (long a brutal) which was a precipitate labour where I tore badly. Big blood loss.
My two induced labours were far more positive for me. I was looked after and felt safe.

Oh, saw your update. Congratulations! X