sweep and induction advice: help!

[Rosenwyn1985]

Ok so I'll be up front and ask for a little reassurance!

For various reasons (I'm consultant led), although this is my second pregnancy, I have a midwife appointment on Wednesday at 4pm where she will try a sweep. I'll be 39+6 and it's been a struggle to hold out this long. At the same time she'll book in an induction for within a week. It was offered earlier but I've held out as long as I can.

I went into spontaneous, fast (5 hours) labour with my first at 39+4 so I've no experience of any of this. I've been getting lots of Braxton hicks and mucus (sorry) so how likely do you think the sweep is to work? Does it hurt? I'd rather be forewarned but don't want to Google!

If this fails how different is the induction from normal labour? I've been recommended an early epidural so I know they'll do that first thing whatever happens.

Help, hints and tips appreciated. This is so different to my first it's a bit daunting!

I had a sweep for my second and labour started a few hours later. Very hard to say how likely it is to work, but there's no harm (plus it feels proactive to be doing something to get labour going!).

It doesn't feel lovely but not awful either - I found it less uncomfortable than a smear. As with a smear, relaxing is key. Focus on that as much as you can. I think having gone through labour before is helpful as you can remind yourself that it's not a patch on that! I was able to lie really still and not clench so the midwife 'swept' around a few extra times for good measure. I then had a 20min waddle home pushing a toddler in a pushchair so maybe that helped too!

Thanks, I'll try to stay relaxed! Easier said than done but will keep it in mind! The community hospital is about a half hour walk away but at the moment with spd and a toddler it takes more like an hour so I'm getting hubby to take me and drive us home! Sounds silly to be nervous of this when I've been through childbirth but it's all so different!

My midwife said it's about 50/50 chance of a sweep working. I had two this time and went into labour about 12 hours after the second one.

Last time I was induced and definitely think the contractions were more painful with induction. I had an epidural that time and would recommend it. This time I coped on gas and air and can only put that down to spontaneous labour being less painful than induced labour. Once I has my epidural though I loved my birth experience even though I hadn't wanted to be induced.

Good luck!

Thanks, like I said for safety reasons they want to put in an early epidural. So at least I know that is something that will happen. They planned to last time but I laboured so fast they didn't get the chance. Midwife today at 4pm so just waiting now! See what she says I guess!

How did your sweep go? Fingers crossed it has done the trick and you will be cuddling your newborn very soon. Am sitting here with my two week old enjoying gorgeous cuddles right now.

Sadly nothing! Apparently my cervix is very short and moves so was hard to reach. She managed a stretch but aside from a serious amount of cramping nothing!

That's a shame. Did you get your induction booked in too? At least you know you will have your baby vert soon

My midwife is speaking to my consultant so should hear tomorrow about an actual booking. She wants it no later than 41 weeks although if there is space it will be earlier. I feel slightly guilty thinking this, but earlier would not be a bad thing at this point! My poor husband is struggling to support me, work and sleep. We're definitely ready for baby even if he's so cosy in there he doesn't want to come out!

If I have read your op correctly then you are full term today so hopefully you will be induced within the next week? I hope you get a date soon so you can start prepping. Going overdue is pretty tedious. My ds was born at 41+1 on 5th August and those 8 days felt like forever!

Induction really isn't so bad especially as you'll have the epidural. I actually really enjoyed mine. Take lots of games and things to keep you occupied as it can take a long time for things to get going.

Best of luck x

Thanks, really hope it doesn't take too long! My poor relatives will be looking after our son so feel bad if they end up having him for ages! Not that they seem to mind!

Fingers crossed it all goes smoothly and your little one makes an appearance very soon!