40+7 stressed and worried

[smoggii]

Well i can't sleep and today marks my 1 week over due so at some point in the next 24 hours a midwife is going to turn up to give me a sweep, I'm terrified.

So far in this pregnancy i have managed to avoid any form of internal exam and i really don't want one (although i have had smears in the past)but i know that it's the best chance of getting things moving and i don't want an induction as was hoping for a water birth.

I really need some sleep but i can't stop thinking about it, my mind is racing.

Any reassurance would be good please x

dont agree to a sweep or an internal unless you really want one.

You are not overdue until 42 weeks.

Hi, a sweep is such a quick thing. What is it that worries you? The actual sweep itself, or that something was to go wrong? I seem to remember that they are virtually risk free, I think thre could be a slight risk of accidentally breaking your waters, but I've known so many people to have sweeps without problems.

I've had sweeps both my pregnancies and they were fine, although didn't work for me. Well DS2 was born less than 12 hours after sweep but I was already dialated when MW did the sweep.

Hope this helps?
Jen

I think it's because everything i've read makes it sound so awful. The way you've put it Jen it doesn't sound so bad. I think i'm just nervous about the whole thing.

Do you know this MW, is she someone you trust? She should be able to explain a bit more about the sweep, so that you can make your choice.

then I agree fully with itsawonderfuldarleneconnorlife, it's completely your choice and so is being induced or not.

Anyway, I bet your baby will be born shortly anyway... x

You don't need a sweep if you don't want one. Why not leave it a few days.

Tip from my dsis is have a couple of paracetimol sp? - an hour before your sweep if you have one. People cope with sweeps differently.

On another note I've had an induction and a spontaneous labour and I don't think either was better than the other. Try not to worry .

Thank you all i'm off to try and get some sleep.

I don't know which midwife is coming, i have met various members of the 'team' but have not seen any of the midwives for more than two routine visits. I will ask whoever it is to explain further.

Good idea for the paracetamol, i'll give it a go.

If you aren't sure you want a sweep why not leave it a few more days and request one when you are ready.

I had my baby a few weeks ago and personally didn't feel induction was for me so refused a sweep until I was 43 weeks+1, then I agreed to a sweep, as by then I also wanted the reassurance of them checking my body was getting ready to go into labour. Which it was the midwife could feel the head when she did the sweep and everything was favourable.
The thing that I didn't like about the sweep was straight after I bled and had period pains and blood which wasn't fully explained to me which scared me as I wasn't expecting that - but it is normal.

I also went for 2 intensive acupunture treatments (at 43wks and 43+3days) and she used moxi bustion and lots of points in the scarum, plus I also used homeopathic remedies and walked up a big hill!
I don't know which if any worked for me but I went into labour on 43+3 and gave birth on 43+4 days.

Not sure if you've got a male partner and if you fancy it - try having sex as your partner will be doing a simlar thing to a sweep which is to irritate the cervix into hurrying up and the sperm can help soften it all plus you it may also help you relax :)

I had the sweep and really wonder what i was worried about, it wasn't anywhere near as bad as i thought although midwife said cervix doesn't appear ready for action, guess i'll have to wait and see. Thank you for all the comments.

I didn't have a sweep with my dd (wasn't offered one and didn't want one) and went into labour on my own at 40+5.

My Dsis had a sweep and she ended up having a drip to bring on labour as her contractions didn't do the job. So really, if you don't want one, don't have one.

I can sympathise as I found the VE's quite painful during labour, so I'm always happy to avoid them until they are absolutely necessary.

I am not going to have a sweep with this baby either (35 weeks pregnant with dc2) even if my mw offers it.

Good to hear it smoggii, I'm sure baby will be ready any moment now..

No signs yet, having sweep number 2 today if nothing happens then have a meeting with the consultant tomorrow to discuss options.
I really didn't want to be induced but right now i just want my baby!

A week over due is not the end of the world. I believe that in France they say 41 wks gestation is normal. Most doctors will let you go another 5-7 days before an induction is scheduled, and even then you can have a vaginal delivery (unless there are medical reasons).

Try not to focus on the being overdue side of things (hard when you are carrying an extra 2 stone at the front!) - the stress will make it less likely that your labour will start spontaneously. Try to plan something you want to do each day - meeting with a friend, going o ut for lunch etc. Try to go for a nice long walk each day, look after yourself, have a few early nights, and be confident that nature will take its course. Statistically you're very likely to get started over the next few days - after that you'll have no time to yourself, so try to make the most of being free to read the newspaper now! And come back and let us know how it all goes next week!