Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Flip

Original poster

Sweeps @ 37 weeks then induction @ 38

9 replies

babaloulou · 04/02/2013 17:15

Hi I have arranged to have sweeps from 37 weeks then if unsuccessful, don't hold much hope but worth a try, I am booked in for induction at 38 weeks.
Has anyone else taken this route? If so what was the outcome I.e. natural, forceps, c-section ......

I am feeling positive but need a reality check

MTIA

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Lulumama · 04/02/2013 17:17

why are you being induced at 38 weeks? is this your first baby?

Lafaminute · 04/02/2013 17:26

I had a sweep at 37+5, DS arrived at 38 weeks exactly. As a result of the sweep (I was due to be induced at 38+4). Labour started at 3/4am and contractions were every two minutes lasting about 30seconds. I live about 75 mins from the hospital but we made it and then it was another 30 mins before the anaesthetist made it at which point I had an epidural and life became bearable again!! (He was born at 9am) DS was my second birth, My first was early too but I had not had a sweep but I don't remember contractions on the first at all - I wondered at the time if they were more ferocious because of the sweep - having said that I don't mean to alarm you about the intensity of the contractions - with my first birth experience I do not remember feeling any pain at all though I was 4cm dilated by the time I made it to the hosp and do remember calmly doing the crossword while waiting for the anaesthetist. On DS, though more ferocious, they were just like bad period pains (yes: I know: I'm a total wuss where pain is concerned!!) BTW DS arrived looking grumpy but perfect and with no help needed and I had no stitches and he was a strapping 8lb3oz. Nobody can predict how your birth will go so try to retain as much faith as possible that it will be perfect!

chocolateicecream · 04/02/2013 19:52

Hi Babalo

I recognise your name from previous posts.

Positive thoughts are always a good thing. Could you discuss the possibility of commencing membrane sweeps at 36 weeks, the midwife however will not be able to perform it as you would be under 37 weeks?

Good luck and best wishes for the birth of your LO xx.

Original poster

babaloulou · 04/02/2013 20:13

Thanks for your replies. lulu I am being induced at 38 weeks due to a previous stillbirth.

chocolate I didn't realise you could have sweeps from 36. Consultant agreed to midwife doing sweeps from 37.

This will be my third baby so already on board with the pain and what will be will be scenarios just wanted a feel for others experiences.

OP posts:

Lulumama · 05/02/2013 09:57

ah, I am sorry for your loss.
I think that once you've had a sweep it will give the midwives/doctors a better idea of how ripe your cervix is and how succesful an indcution could be, it might be that your body is ready at 38 weeks, but don't be surprised if it isn't quite there or the induction takes a while...
sweep , if it is going to start things off, will work within 24 - 48 hours
nipple stim with a breast pump, sex /orgasm and laughter all help release oxytocin which can stimulate conractions and help move things along

Rainbowbabyhope · 05/02/2013 12:27

bablou I have been offered an induction at 38 weeks for the same reasons as you and am interested in the responses to your question as I have heard to many negative things about early induction. There is no medical reason for me being an offered an induction (it purely being offered for reassurance) so I don't think I am going to consider it till 40 weeks at the earliest however good to understand the options.

DoItToJulia · 05/02/2013 12:53

I was induced at 38 weeks due to a scan showing iugr. (Baby wasn't small in the end)

It took the drip turned up to the maximum dose to start labour: the pessaries, sweeps and prom didn't get labour started, I suspect because it was just too early and baby wasn't ready.

Once labour was established it all happened fairly quickly. I had no further intervention at all. There were a couple of moments where a doctor was consulted, but that was because he had a mammoth cord that he was using like a skipping rope and not at all connected to the induction.

In fact, my first was a home birth and the induction has made me feel totally ambivalent about where I would give birth in the future, as the induction and delivery were so smooth.

I am sorry to hear that you have previously had a still born baby, that must be really painful. When the midwife attending my birth had a break, the specialist bereavement midwife covered her break and she was lovely. Does your hospital have something similar? Could you speak to her?

Good luck. X

Bottleoffish · 05/02/2013 15:58

I had a sweep at 37 weeks exactly then went into labour and had DD at 37+6, although I don't think it had anything to do with the sweep as I had my first three DC at 40 weeks, 38 weeks and 37+3 respectively.

Tieni · 05/02/2013 18:20

So sorry for your loss.

I had sweeps at 37 and 38 weeks with DC2 and was induced at 39+0. It only took 1 pessary to get me to 2-3cm dilated and then the midwife was able to break my waters. Less than 2 hours later my little one arrived; I needed stitches due to the fast delivery but no other intervention.

DC1 was born at 38+6, 14 hours after my waters broke naturally. I had had a sweep at 37+4 and 38+4. Ventouse needed after 2.5hrs pushing.

My early sweeps were due to gestational diabetes.

Good luck with everything.

Flip