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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

Is there any chance of me having a sweep tomorrow at 37+6?

32 replies

NatalieJane · 14/11/2006 00:28

I know they don't always work anyway, but I have been having contractions for over 4 weeks, loosing bits of my show, feeling sick to the point where I am hardly eating anything, have had an average of 2-3 hours sleep a night since the contractions started, I am as swollen as I think is possible, and I have now developed a very uncomfortable pressure in my bum (sorry if TMI) that is coming and going, all of which has left me massivly pissed off and seriously exhausted, if I beg and plead with my midwife to do a sweep tomorrow, is it likely she will just tell me to bugger off? (I don't think it makes any difference, but I am booked for a home birth)

Lulu? Anyone? Please....???

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carol3 · 14/11/2006 00:32

I think it depends on the midwife, possible, you could get her to do an internal to see if anythings starting to happen then you'd have a better idea.

Original poster

NatalieJane · 14/11/2006 00:39

I think things might be on the brink of starting, as well as everything I have mentioned, the baby was 3/5ths engaged last Wednesday, and judging by my bump getting lower still (and this pressure) he has engaged further since then, the baby has been very quiet over the last few days, but today I have hardly felt him move at all, not even for his mad half hour he has had every night for months on end! And I have been to the toilet properly (IYSWIM?!!) 3 times today, which is very unlike me, especially with not being able to eat more than a couple of mouthfulls. I think I just need something to tip me over the edge as it were.

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hamstermunker · 14/11/2006 00:44

Good luck with everything starting properly soon, NJ - have followed your threads, but not posted thus far. You must be so sick of being pg - hope you have your baby in your arms by the weekend x x x

PS - my midwife gave me a sweep when I was 38w - didn't do anything, but I was trying to avoid induction at that point, so thought it worth a shot!

carol3 · 14/11/2006 00:45

sounds like it could be starting then, how exciting ! btw you say you haven't felt him move much today, has he made ten movements though? if not would get this checked, or try a very cold drink, sorry that sounds really bossy important to keep an eye on movements though.

Original poster

NatalieJane · 14/11/2006 00:51

Yes I am totally and utterly fed up with being pregnant, I feel like I have forgotten how to talk about anything else, and I have certainly forgotten how to do anything but moan all the time!

The baby has moved enough for me not to feel worried, I will feel more assured tomorrow when listening to the heartbeat no doubt, but I'm convinced the slowing down is because of him just having no where to move to, and being engaged. I am keeping an eye on the movements though

Well I guess I shouldn't get too excited, but it certainly sounds like if I press hard enough she might do something down there to kick it off!

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carol3 · 14/11/2006 00:55

oh thats good. Do remember mine all slowing down before birth, and also the pooing thing so I think you right, somethings happening, hopefully should find out more tommorrow then. (smile)

Original poster

NatalieJane · 14/11/2006 01:02

LOL You have no idea how many times I have thought 'maybe tomorrow' since all of this started! Even the midwife I saw last week joked about her being the one on call that night for the home births so she would see me later, that was Wednesday, so nearly a week ago!

We keep saying it cant go on much longer, but if it has already gone on for over 4 weeks, what's stopping it going on for another 4 weeks?!!

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carol3 · 14/11/2006 01:12

I know the feeling so frustraiting all mine where late and it drove me mad ! sat there every eve having contractions which would go away every morning is this your first ?

Original poster

NatalieJane · 14/11/2006 01:23

I don't even want to think about going overdue, in fact the thought fills me with dread!!

No it is my second, I was induced with my first at 40+5, I didn't have any signs with him, not even any braxton hicks, so this is all new to me.

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carol3 · 14/11/2006 01:28

I had no signs really with first the midwife came to do a sweep when I was a week over and i was 3 to 4 cm hadn't a clue, he was born that night.

Second had two sweeps and eight days over.
Third, had loads of contractions and false starts, 7 days over about 6 hours after sweep and three lots of acupuncture . I think now i'm just made to have 41 week pregnancy's

Original poster

NatalieJane · 14/11/2006 01:36

LOL Maybe number 4 would prove your theory?!!

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carol3 · 14/11/2006 01:41

would love one unfortuantly would be dh's worse nighmare .

Original poster

NatalieJane · 14/11/2006 01:48

What has it got to do with him? You could probably squeeze another one in with out him even noticing

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NatalieJane · 14/11/2006 01:58

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carol3 · 14/11/2006 02:01

lol I could hide it i suppose night night hope it kicks off soon.

Original poster

NatalieJane · 14/11/2006 08:14

Well, I am still here, the pains got worse, every 3-4 minutes lasting about a minute and a half, decided that at 6 o'clock I would DH up so he could sort out the pool for me, but 5.30 they just all stopped dead, now just having very mild periody type pain niggles, but no pressure or anything, and on half an hours sleep and half a weetabix I am feeling pretty dreadful!

The midwife had better be in a good caring mood this morning because the poor love is going to have a very hysterical woman on her hands if she even tries to refuse to do a sweep!! LOL

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Original poster

NatalieJane · 14/11/2006 09:22

I am about to go out of the door, I am feeling a bit nervous TBH, oh well, if it is does the trick, I won't be feeling nervous anymore!!

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lulumama · 14/11/2006 09:29

sweetheart...just seen this . i don't stay up that late!! she might.....i got one when i cried at 39 weeks.....! your cervix needs to be favourable and i\mnot sure if the contractins produced by an irritable uterus are the dilating / effacing kind.....!! she could examine you and see where you are

i would usually say NO WAY!!! too soon..but you need this baby out NOW, i know you are sick of being pregnant....xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Original poster

NatalieJane · 14/11/2006 11:41

Thanks Lulu I don't think last night was anything to do with the irritable uterus, I really think it was one of these 'false starts' everyone is always going on about, it was so much more intense than previous bouts of contractions, I can actually still feel now where the pain was as though it is bruised.

I am back from the midwives now, obviously!! She wouldn't do the sweep. I honestly don't know how I made it home and in the front door before I cried!

When I first asked about it she said she wouldn't even want to try because she didn't think at 38 weeks that she would even be able to reach the cervix, which I accepted obviously she knows better than me, so no problem, then she went on to say about how if the cervix had started to come down and started to soften I'd have lost my show... erm HELLO????? So I told her I had been loosing it for weeks now, and she looked at my notes again and said oh yes so it says here, then she turned to the student midwife and said, once the baby is engaged, and pushing down on the cervix from the inside, it will then push the cervix far enough forward for me to be able to reach.... erm HELLO AGAIN?????? Look at my bloody notes woman - the baby is engaged!!

So basically she was saying once the baby is well engaged and you start loosing the show she will probably be able to reach, so she turned again to the student and said we would have to check the lady over completely first (and gave an example of why that was needed) so they did all my checks then, confirmed baby is now further engaged, everything was fine and clear, so I thought she she would then do the sweep, but nope, she then decided that she wanted to wait another week, just to see if the same starts again as last night but turns into something....

If there was some medical reason as to why she didn't want to do it, then fine, I would have accepted that no problem, but to hold it off for another week just so she can see if anything kicks off tonight.... GRRRRRRRR!! She even said she could feel my uterus contracting, and with everything else that has gone on she doesn't expect to see me back at the surgery next week, but the m/w last week said more or less the same then.

I really don't think I can take much more of this. When are any of them going to put their money where their mouth is and actually help me?

Sorry if that makes no sense, I can't even be bothered to check it for typos so you will have to put up with them as well!!

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lulumama · 14/11/2006 12:48

oh bum....!! did she examine you internally? i take it not.......

if she can feel you contracting and baby is further engaged..it is all a good sign.....

but not what you want.

oh dear......don;t know about DIY Sweeps....

(((((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))))))

this has been a looooong pregnancy, no?

Original poster

NatalieJane · 14/11/2006 15:33

No, she didn't even examine me to see if she could feel it, she said she want to cause me any uncomfort for nothing... I might get DH to see if he can have a rumage!! LOL Someone on my ante-natel thread has just said she did her own sweep with her first, it has to be worth a try!

We are off to Tesco tonight, hopefully the walk will kick something off.

The pregnancy was going really quickly until these contractions started, the last 4/5 weeks have just dragged by. It doesn't help that my days (i.e. when I'm awake) are over 20 hours long!

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lulumama · 14/11/2006 15:37

LOL at having a rummmage! cervix should feel like pursed lips,if it is softening..the tip of your nose if not! should be moving to the front too.....not sure about this...but it is your cervix......!

Original poster

NatalieJane · 14/11/2006 15:43

Yes the midwife said she wouldn't be able to feel it until it started moving forward, I'm not sure I would know what was forward or not for a cervix, but I am sure DH will know if he can feel something that he couldn't before!! LOL How romantic!! LOL

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sweetkitty · 14/11/2006 15:59

hi NJ you could be me when I was in the last weeks with DD2 I completely feel for you, every morning I would wake up and cry because I was still pregnant, I had 18 month old DD1 running around, bad SPD, heartburn, BHs every few hours, the pressure like you describe. DD1 was 15 days early so I thought I would be early again oh no due date came and went I tried everything and nothing worked. Begged for a sweep at 40+6 nothing would never have another sweep again for love or money. Had sinusitis as well in the last week booked in for induction on the Saturday and she arrived on the Thursday. But those last few weeks dragged in.

It does sound like your body is getting ready for labour though, maybe try a bit of sex might kick things off. Best of luck x

Original poster

NatalieJane · 14/11/2006 16:13

God, I think I would be performing my own c-sec by being that late, let alone a sweep!!!

I have just had the first strong contraction of the night, here we go again...

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