Quick(ish) question re induction of labour

[tracypenisbeaker]

I have my induction on Sunday, but I have to go in for the heart trace today at 12.30pm today as they don't do them on Sundays in the hospital. I have not had a cervical sweep yet (MW physically tried on Tuesday, couldn't reach?) and wanted to do one last week as well but baby wasn't engaged enough so she didn't even attempt it.

My question is, will they attempt a stretch and sweep today? I'm hoping so, I want them to at least try before using the gel or pessaries on Sunday. (Don't know if it is relevant, but I will be staying in hospital on Sunday after the induction as I have been positive for Group B strep in this pregnancy)

Oh and I'm 41+3.

They may do a sweep today, but that's not why I want to post.

It really really doesn't make sense to me that they won't have heart rate tracing facilities (CTG) available on a Sunday?! And that they would be prepared to go ahead and start an induction without the appropriate monitoring. I would seriously question whether this was appropriate, and whether you would be happy to go ahead with this.

Sorry, it could actually be the scan that is not able to be done on Sunday, I've forgotten . The midwife did say either 'the scan' or 'the trace,' I can't remember which, I just assumed they did both at the same time and the trace was just part of it iyswim... But I will check with them later as it does seem weird to me now that they don't have the facilities to do this on Sunday...

Thanks, DropYourSword, I've done a bit more research (I assumed that the trace would be a combination of observing the scan image onscreen and using a doppler, hence the scan assumption) but now I know what it actually entails, I would hope that they do do them on Sundays if the need arises

Phew! That makes me feel a lot better. They MUST be talking about a scan (which we didn't do prior to inductions) rather than a trace (which is absolutely required!)

Very best of luck, you'll be holding your squishy new baby a couple of days time!! And it won't hurt to ask today if someone will do a stretch and sweep for you.

Good luck for sunday, im getting started then too (@35+4)

Are they talking about doing a trace of your heart or babys? from what i gather the inductions all start off with you getting trace of baby's heartbeat, then pessary followed by 2hr baby heartbeat trace! then the wait/pain starts

Im learning so much stuck here on a ward

Wee update- I went to the hospital, and the MW did a quick scan. Baby's fluid was fine, head was down in a better position (he was back to back, preventing the first sweep attempt last week.)

No trace was done, so thankfully that will be done on sunday after all DropYourSword, I dont know why the community midwife told me it would be done today as opposed to sunday- she definitely lumped the scan andthe trace together which is what confused me.

They attempted a sweep on me again, but I wasnt dialated enough. Im a bit gutted as I wanted it done to boost my chances of a labour without induction- if he doesnt come spontaneously by lunchtime on sunday then no water birth as I had hoped. Of course, I could refuse the induction but a part of me is worried because my mother was overdue with me, and there was apparently an issue with me very closed to being poisoned by my meconium, so I just want him out safe and sound really :)

curlywurlyllass im sure the trace is for the baby's heart, ive not been told different x

Yes,the trace is for babies heartbeat. I was induced , went all way to 42 weeks. Never had a sweep as head didn't engage until way into labour. Had to have the trace inserted and put on her head as she was moving too much for them to monitor her.

If you have the choice and could wait a few more days past Sunday to see if labour starts naturally, then I would probably do that. My baby wasn't ready to come out and it was extremely tough. Induction isn't really just the little kick start to labour that they make it out to be!

Did you have your little one yet?!

Hope your first lot of induction trauma has worked and you are having cuddles with your newborn

ive now had 3 attempts and im no further forward apart from being a cranky cow with back pain and the occasional mild cramp and i may be heading for a section tomorrow in more ways than one!

My induction took 3 days and finished with an emcs (due to baby hb issues so def need trace) so 6 days in total. I would do anything to avoid being induced if you can.