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Childbirth

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

Can I request a sweep a few days before induction?

21 replies

thedevilisinthedetail · 29/05/2013 22:05

....and if I do is it likely to work?

I'm due to be induced due to small baby on Monday (39 weeks). I've had 2 normal deliveries before (with a 10lb and a 9lb baby). I have my final consultant appointment tomorrow and I'm consultant tomorrow and I'm wondering if I can request a sweep to see if I get going under my own steam. I thought it might also give me an idea how receptive my cervix might be to the induction. I'm just worried that after two normal deliveries induction might lead to all sorts of intervention (always just relied on gas and air).

Do you think I can ask? And would it be worth doing at 38+3?

Thanks

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amazingmumof6 · 30/05/2013 00:56

you can ask. whether it will work depends on the cervix, if it's too far back they might not be able to do it.

I'm probably dumb, but I never heard of needing to be induced because baby is small. surely that would be the reason to wait longer, no?

it's a genuine question, I wonder why you can't wait to go to term and beyond, sweeps are not normally offered (or asked for) before 40 weeks and even then not all of them work.

the only thing I will suggest is to have sex. (not advised once waters are broken for ris of infection)

the sperm contains something (can't remember the name) that can help ripen the cervix.

if yuo can have a seep I would strongly advise you to try and have sex as quickly as you can afterwards - it's been the winning combo for us 3 times - with DS3, DS5 an DD!
That is actually a 100% success rate for us, as the other times the sweep couldn't be done etc.

(DS1 - waters broke, so no sweep offered and had to be induced as labour didn't progress
DS2- they couldn't reach the cervix, so sweep couldn't be done and had to be induced.
DS4 - was ELSC as he was footling breech)

I hope you have good news on Monday, but if I were you I would strongly question the need to be induced, if there's no other reason apart from baby being small (which of course can be a very valid one, it's just it seems strange to me, sorry)

mayhew · 30/05/2013 09:22

As a mw. Ask! There is no harm to be done and it will satisfy your curiosity as to how ready the cervix is. Having 2 previous births makes it easier because the pressure from the baby's head causes a little dilation ( in med speak, "multips os").

thedevilisinthedetail · 30/05/2013 11:31

Well I asked and they just did it! 1 - 2 cm and cervix moved forward. They seemed quite optimistic that it has a chance of working.

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amazingmumof6 · 30/05/2013 11:46

excellent news! seriously have sex today as the sperm will aid the ripening of the cervix!

thedevilisinthedetail · 30/05/2013 12:04

I will aim to amazing! Being induced due to slow growth and placenta worries. Now running round doing all the last minute jobs I had saved for the weekend! Hair appointment booked for half 12. Should get through that!

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amazingmumof6 · 31/05/2013 15:32

so how are things today?

thedevilisinthedetail · 31/05/2013 17:05

Lots of twinges...but nothing regular yet. I'm taking it as a good sign though. Hopefully will be swift when it starts but I suppose you never know.

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amazingmumof6 · 31/05/2013 18:42

do you feel period pain type dull ache every now and then?

thedevilisinthedetail · 31/05/2013 19:35

Yes, which is how my first labour started but this is very irregular!

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amazingmumof6 · 31/05/2013 21:49

well I think that is a good sign considering that you are early!

I will keep checking, and would like to know how you get on.
keep posting if you can. Smile

thedevilisinthedetail · 01/06/2013 10:31

Yes, I always like a conclusion to questions too! Last night had about an hour of what I thought were proper contractions and then in and off through the night. Now nothing this morning. I've looked again at my notes and my Bishop Score was 5 on Thursday. I feel like I probably will get to induction but really hoping sweepand these contractions are doing something!

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amazingmumof6 · 01/06/2013 16:09

well you did what you could.
stress hormones interfere with hormones that bring on the birth in the early stage, so I know it's a cliché but try and get busy with those things you mentioned and try and not worry.

sorry easier said than done.

soon you'll be to busy to post hereGrin Grin

amazingmumof6 · 03/06/2013 12:01

how are things today? how was your weekend?

thedevilisinthedetail · 03/06/2013 14:44

Bouts of contractions lasting an hour or so. Now in hospital waiting for midwife to do a check and see what the plan is!

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thedevilisinthedetail · 03/06/2013 14:49

Bouts of contractions lasting an hour or so. Now in hospital waiting for midwife to do a check and see what the plan is!

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amazingmumof6 · 03/06/2013 15:44

is that with or without being induced?
either way it is exciting!
all the best and do let me know if you remember! Smile

thedevilisinthedetail · 05/06/2013 03:33

Edward was.born after an induction at 9.20 this evening. Long induction with nothing and then once it started it was three hours and he was here! Home again and trying to sleep before the children wake up!

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EugenesAxe · 05/06/2013 04:42

Congratulations & glad the placenta business didn't cause any problems!

amazingmumof6 · 05/06/2013 07:32

Fantastic news, congratulations! Thanks

kiss his little toes for me - that's not creepy, is it?Grin

thanks for letting us know!

Areyoumadorisitme · 05/06/2013 07:38

Congratulations! Grin

How big was he?

thedevilisinthedetail · 07/06/2013 07:51

He was 8lbs12oz so not tiny!!

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