changing dates - can they force me to be induced?

[MrsH2010]

My dates have changed back and forwards several times - with a weeks difference. They're now working on the earlier dates - from a scan at 32 weeks showing the size/lengths of bones etc to be spot on 'average percentile' for the week they're predicting I am (instead of the week behind if you see what I mean!). Maybe I just have a big baby though and the latter dates are correct!?!

I'm just really nervous that I'll get to DD +14 on the early DD and will have the birting centre waterbirth option that I want taken away from me because they'll presume I'm now way overdue...instead of still having another 7 days to go (from the latter, original date I was given).

Has anyone had experience with this? Any suggestions, or does anyone know the options available to me so that I don't get pushed into a hospital/clinical birth just because they keep messing around with my dates!

Stressing me out slightly - please help!!

Does anyone know how early you can get a sweep done??
A friend had one at DD+2 apparently - performed by her midwife, but my midwife says that's not possible, and isn't an option until I'm DD+12...

Does anyone know??
Where are they done (home? GP?) and by whom, and from what date??

Thanks!

People constantly post "can they force me to be induced/have a sweep/have continuous monitoring" etc etc type threads - the answer is always the same - NO!
They can't force you to do anything, you have to consent to any medical treatment or procedure. That doesn't mean its a good idea not to take doctors' advice if they are telling you something is a sensible idea, but of course they can't "force" you to do anything. What are you envisaging? Them tying you to a bed and inducing you against your wishes whilst you bed them not to???

So far as the sweep goes - where I live the midwife gives you one at your appointment on your due date if you haven't gone into labour, if your cervix is favourable enough to make it possible to give you one. I have never heard of anyone being made to wait until they are 12 days overdue to get a sweep - but different areas may have different protocols I suppose.

There are numerous threads on here about various things you can do to try and kickstart labour - if you want to avoid trying to be induced you should read some of those for tips.

obviously that should have been "beg" them not to!

I'd argue the EDD now TBH. Dating scans shouldn't be done after 14 weeks because it depends on the baby's size, which can vary considerably after 14 weeks (when the placenta kicks in).

As the PP said, they cannot force you to have an induction, but they can refuse to accept you at the MLU.

There's no point in having a sweep if your cervix isn't soft - and it can actually be impossible. So they're only an option when your body is already getting ready for labour.

I had two sweeps, the first at 39+5 and the second at 40 weeks.

The current NICE guidelines say that you can request a sweep from 37 weeks.

My consultant told me at the one I had on my dd that there was no chance that it would work. Had had dd2 less than 24hrs later, and she is now 3 days old!!

THanks Ladies - my fear is not with the pinning down etc (!!) but with not being 'allowed' my choice of going to the MLU simply because they've got the dates wrong. I just think I have a 'big baby' (as all of my husbands family were 9lb and over) so the 'average percentile' readings for size at 32 weeks, which set me at the week earlier date, hasn't filled me with confidence - but all I get in response is that a week doesn't matter... but it matters to me and could make the world of difference.

I understand why induction is offered at 42 weeks but my point is that it my only be my 41st week but they'll take my most recent scan as 'the date'...

Am hoping to just try all the natural ways, and a sweep - if my midwife makes up her mind when that's 'allowed' as well..

My first baby, and without having a mum/sister/gran all very confusing as getting completely contradictory info from midwife (who also calls a sweep 'induction'...) and other friends who are only a few miles away in the same county but with diff midwives and entirely different info!
Thanks for the posts though...

they cant force you to be induced but, as others have said, if you go sunstantially overdue it can be difficult to get into the nice birthing suite areas and get put on the medical delivery suite instead. You can still have an active natural birth here (I did last time) but it's not as pleasant and you can't go in the pool etc. If I was you I would get your EDD resolved now and agree it a bit earlier based on LMP and the initial scans before 14 weeks - I am surprised they are changing it based on such a late scan. I am 34 weeks today but measuring 36 weeks but I am definitely 34 weeks for examples. My EDD from the initial scans varied by one day from LMP and scans and they asked me which day I prefered - i chose the later one for the same reason as you.

Ask them to reassess for peace of mind so you are not worrying about it - but I would aslo bear in mind the issue of the placenta failing after 42 weeks (statistically this is when it is likely to happen) if you go that overdue and the increased risk of stillbirth - though even that risk can be managed with expectant management in the last coup0le of weeks (regular checks of the health of the placenta) if you put your foot down and refuse indcution - not the easy option for the NHS so you will have to be prepared to be stubborn.

thanks ladies - this late scan WAS meant to resolve it all... but the midwife books you in. the scanner doesn't then read the notes. I was then trying to explain what was happening and being talked over being told 'dont fret, you're clearly a worrier' (which I am anything but and am pretty chilled out - bar the minor detail of not wanting to be forced into something one week earlier than necessary, for obvious reasons!!) It was like being a child with the scanner not listening one bit and pointing at the bar charts saying 'average percentile' and 'you can't argue with that' over and over again like I was a moron!! You CAN argue with that if it's a big biffa of a baby already surely!!

Oh well - will just have to hope for the best. My care to date has been pretty shoddy to say the least, with one arm of the system not communicating at all effectively with the other - god forbid anyone ACTUALLY read my notes when they see me. If I've been asked once 'so, why are you here?' by the consultant, midwife or scanner it's been ten times already!! Baffles me everytime!

So annoying that they just can't revert back to the first scan letter with dates - as everyone says they're more dependable/accurate anyway as that was the later date, but it's a 'computer says no' situation and apparently nothing is that simple I'm told... ugh!

make an appt with your midwife or head of midwifery at the hospital and explain and ask to get this resolved once and for all - this sounds ridiculous. As I said, I know for a fact that I am 34 weeks but my bump measurement says 36 weeks and I am having a growth scan next week which will no doubt say bigger as well - big baby - but they are not changing my original due date.