Is a sweep the first step towards induction?

[bytheMoonlight]

I am due to see consultant tomorrow, I will be 40+4 and she wants to do a sweep. My midwife wants me to book an induction tomorrow and the consultant said if the sweep doesn't work she wants to try a drip.

I had to have an emcs with first pregnancy due to failure to progress after I laboured naturally.

I do not want to be induced.

If I agree to a sweep will it be considered the first step on the path of induction by my very pro vbac consultant

And does having a sweep increase the chance of having a c-section.

What I want to do is say to my consultant that I want to book an ELCS and just see if I go in labour naturally before that.

Not sure how much a sweep affects things and was someone could clarify

Why won't they let you wait longer to go into labour on your own - like 10 days/2 weeks.

Usually if you've had a c-section they don't use the drip because it can make the onset to rapid????

Sweeps only work if labour was fairly imminent anyway.

You are within your rights to ask for c-section surely?

I said at my last appointment (36 wks) I would try for a VBAC.

My consultant said she would let me go to 40+10 before using the drip, she booked me in tomorrow for a sweep.

The consultant can see it as whatever she wants - but she can't continue with anything without having your informed consent every step of the way. She can advise you to have a drip at 40+10 but its not up to her to "let" you. Saying you're happy to try for a VBAC is very different to saying you're happy to do everything possible to avoid a CS and certainly doesn't equate to consent for chemical induction.

I'd suggest asking her the questions you have. Ask why she's happy to use a drip for induction of VBAC when many hospital policies seem to be against it. You can say that you're happy to try for a VBAC if labour starts naturally but you're not prepared to be induced.

I think, for me, it would depend on how happy I was to have a CS. If I wanted to avoid it at all costs then I'd probably go for the sweep (or series of sweeps) in the hope of getting a VBAC without induction. If I wasn't fussed about whether I had a CS or not then I'd let nature take its course and just see what pans out.

Talk to her. See what reasons she has. Go away and think about it if you need to (even if just for two minutes) before giving a decision. And remember that whatever you decide you can change your mind at any point - and that includes asking for a sweep in progress to be stopped NOW!