To refuse sweeps before induction

[Lulubo1]

I'll try and summarise this as quick as possible. (Please no judgement on my request for an induction) I'm 36wks pregnant with my second baby. DH has cancer and is undergoing aggressive chemo every other week. I've asked (and been accepted) to have an induction at 39wks, which times perfectly for in between his chemo cycles. This means he can (hopefully) be well enough to be with me during labour and birth. They have suggested I have sweeps starting from 37wks before the induction at 39wks.

DH is due to have more chemo at my 38wks point and he will be very sick and tired for around 5 days after. I realise I could go into spontaneous labour, but I will have to deal with that if it happens.

This is my AIBU....would it BU for me to say no to the sweeps and just go on for induction? I'm worried that if I have a sweep it could kick start labour earlier. If anyone has experience with sweeps for their second, I would appreciate any input. Thank you

You are under no obligation to accept sweeps if it doesn’t work for your situation. Why not request one a day or so before your induction date? There’s not much evidence that they work in any case.

Sorry to hear all of this OP.

But yes just say no to sweeps no one’s going to question you, I said no to mine and no one cared x

You aren't under any obligation to have sweeps it's your body.

As someone on chemo myself I can totally see why you've timed it the way you have. I'd also explain the situation to your health visitor when you have baby. With your husband being immunosuppressed you might be able to get help in other ways that you might not have thought about yet. Best of luck with it all.

You’re under no obligation to have anything that you don’t want. But it might be a good idea to have a sweep as close as possible to your induction, but not none before that if you don’t want to go into labour earlier. I had a sweep the day before I was induced and it really helped as I was already a couple of centimetres dilated when I went in so the induction moved things along very quickly after that. But of course it’s completely up to you.

The hospital have so kindly already arranged for me to have a private room when I'm induced, rather than being in the ward, so DH can be with me without too many others around while he's immunosuppressed. They've been so amazing, but I genuinely forgot about the health visitor, thank you so much for mentioning it.

I hope you are coping with the chemo, it's a rough slog and I feel for you xx

Ah I'm glad that they've put in provisions for you already, that must be very reassuring for you.

My youngest was born at home during covid as my husband is also immunosuppressed. If your husband hasn't got a decent mask already I recommend Cambridge masks, they are FFP2 rated and the technology is used by the military. I've yet to catch anything from hospital or my kids coughing in my face whilst wearing one.

Thank you, I will look to get some masks. The toddler cough to the face is brutal. Our DD is a pro at it 🤦🏻‍♀️