VBAC and going overdue

[Monstermuncher]

Hi

I have decided to try for a VBAC this time but have been told that as I have previously had a c section, if I go overdue I will not be induced. It would appear that my options would be to try a sweep (which sounds pretty horrible) or to book in for another section at an agreed date - eg if I go more than say 10 days overdue. I have just under 3 weeks to go and I am starting to stress a bit, I appreciate that baby might be early or on time so this might not be an issue but after a crappy meeting with consultant the other day I'm not feeling v positive. Just wondered if anyone who had been in this situation before could share their thoughts/experiences please?
Wondering how many people go seriously overdue and just how bad a sweep is (and if it actually worked)

Hi, I hope to try for a VBAC later on this year.

With my first DC I was overdue, had a sweep (nothing resulted), induction and eventually ended up with an emcs because of malpresentation despite having got to 10cm and pushed for 2 hours!

Sweeps vary in their discomfort levels from person to person. For me it was similar to having a smear. A friend had a sweep last week and she said it was quite unpleasant because her cervix was tucked to one side, once the mw found her cervix the actual sweep bit was ok. However she went into labour the night following the sweep and had a baby 6 hours later. Probably worth it I assume. For me the sweep was a doddle compared to the contractions I got from the induction drugs. I personally wouldn't have concerns about a sweep this time if overdue with a VBAC. There is no way I would consider induction even if they offered it to a VBACer because of the risks with a VBAC but also because I found the induction route so unpleasant.

Good luck and hope you get the delivery you are hoping for.

I had an 'induced' VBAC 3 weeks ago (4th pregnancy). I also had 3 sweeps. The 1st one at 38 weeks was very uncomfortable which I'm sure was because my male consultant did it! The other two were not at all painful as my midwife did them . They did'nt work though. I would prefer a sweep to a CS though personally.

I was only 40+2 when I was induced but I requested it as I was suffering from various ailments and baby was forecast to be a big un (was 9lb 7 so not that big). My hospital have a policy of offering ONE pessary for VBACs to try and start things off and if favourable they would then break the waters. This worked for me as DS3 was born 5 hours after I had the pessary, water broke naturally and the labour and birth was my best yet! I was very closely monitored but could still move around and was actively encouraged to get up and walk round/lean on the bed etc.

I was told that if the one pessary did not work then it would be a CS so I was glad to have that option and glad not to have to wait until 40+10 which is when I would have had the c-section.

i had a sweep at 40+4 and baby was born at 40+5!!! it worked and it was not that bad, like someone said it was like a smear but a bit more uncomfortable. The consultant said my cervix was not favourable but it worked. sadly i went on to have a emcs but very happy that baby was healthy!

good luck!

Hi, I'm hoping for a vbac too (also in about 3 weeks!). I had 2 sweeps with dc1. Think the first was at 39 weeks?

I kind of wish I hadn't though as after the second I went in to labour but was having on/off pains (bad pains!!) for days and an eventual emcs. Now I think that my body just wasn't ready to go in to labour - but who knows.

The sweep itself wasn't too bad - uncomfortable and bit like a smear test.

This time I have a planned section booked at 12 days after my due date (that I'm happy with) although if I go to that time, when I go in they will first see if it is possible to break my waters (arm) and let labour start. If cervix is really unfavourable then I'll have the section.

I'm still considering a sweep this time, despite the first experience except I will wait until at least 40 weeks when hopefully my body will be more ready to go in to labour anyway(and I do want to avoid the section). I think that's the key. Think if your body isn't very near going in to labour anyway then it probably won't work. Some people do swear by them though

Thank you ladies, it seems that like so many pregnancy related things the sweep is different for different people (if that makes sense). V uncomfortable and fed up today so I really hope baby Monstermuncher doesn't want to stay in there forever ..