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Childbirth

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

Original poster

last midwife appointment

19 replies

lorie · 13/12/2006 14:08

Hello, I've got my 40 week routine midwife app tomorrow. Just wanted to ask if the midwife will examine me (internal) to see what my cervix is doing?

Also should we discuss membrane sweeps or induction options? Do you think she will book me in for something?

I only ask because I don't find my midwife very informative.

Thank you

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Mumpbump · 13/12/2006 14:11

I didn't get any examination by the m/w, but had already been examined by a consultant so don't know if that was why. I would ask her about when they would recommend induction. I wouldn't have thought you would get booked in for something at that stage - I think they do it if you have another appointment. I rang the hospital to book my induction the day before, but was induced for reasons other than being overdue... Sorry I can't be more helpful, but I'm sure there are lots of others who know what will happen...

Tommy · 13/12/2006 14:14

what I did at my 40+ weeks MW appt with DS2 was to burst into tears and say "I can't deal with this anymore" or words to that effect so she gave me a sweep and then told me I was already 3cm dilated!

DS2 born next evening

That approach might not work for you of course but ordinalriy I think you would juts have a normal appt and then chat about how youw ere feeling etc

theinvisiblegirl · 13/12/2006 14:16

I think the general routine now is that they don't give internal examinations unless they have too....although in some areas is seems matter of routine to give you a sweep on or just after your due date to try and get things moving.

Ask her what they tend to do in your area..although remember at the end of the day, the baby will appear whether you have a sweep or not (they don't always work and can be bl@@dy painful!)

All the best!!

lulumama · 13/12/2006 14:17

you will discuss the options......might get an examine...unlikely though, and sweep not usually offered until 40 + , you might be given an appointmnet for 41 weeks, which could be for a sweep and then a date for induction booked for 40 + 10 or whatever your hospital policy is re induction

your EDD is an estimated date, it is hard to think past 40 weeks. but some babies are supposed to be born at 41 or 42 weeks

if you don;t want to be induced until 42 weeks, you can have daily monitoring of the baby/placental function to ensure all is well post dates

also, a sweep only works if you were going to spontaneously go into labour within 24 - 48 hours !

good luck !

mamijacacalys · 13/12/2006 14:29

She probably won't do an exam but you could ask her to if it would make you feel better to know whether you have 'started'.
IME the only thing she'll probably book is your 41 wk appt!
If you've had a straightforward pg, I would not mention induction and hope you go OK by yourself. But again, if it makes you feel better, by all means ask about the induction criteria and procedures that they have.
HTH and good luck!

mamijacacalys · 13/12/2006 14:31

X posted with lulumama again and yet again she says everything much more eloquently than me....

Original poster
lorie · 13/12/2006 14:51

Thanks for your messages, that's really helpful.

I asked for this reason..

My EDD is this Friday. I am getting myself into a bit of a pickle because for some reason I've got in into my head that nothing is going to happen 'naturally'. At the moment I feel like I would prefer to have set date for induction then I can just concentrate on that date. Does that make sense to anyone? Or am I completely bonkers?! I don't WANT to be induced especially and am aware of the complications that CAN follow. But the waiting is driving me nuts!

And I think the thing is that being xmas me and hubby feel like everything is 'up in the air'. We feel like we can't make any plans etc... getting me down a bit. Has anyone any advice?

Thank you

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lulumama · 13/12/2006 15:51

Lorie....

i was induced with baby no 1, very excited, baby coming on such and such a date, ended with a medicalised labour, emergency c.s

now, not all inductions go badly....some women have really positive experiences, as you have said thought, you know it can make things complicated....

baby no2 was a spontanous natural labour..and i enjoyed arriving at hospital, huffing and puffing, and having my waters break naturally and having a vaginal birth.....

i say enjoyed....i think i enjoyed it more in retrospect, but did like the fact my body, not a chemical drip or a pessary was making things happen

do some positive thinking, some visualisation..of the cervix opening, the baby moving down and being born...imagine it as a positive joyful experience,

labour could well start anytime, relax (!), enjoy , eat well, rest well, bounce on a gym ball and look forward to meeting LO ....

labour is a natural physiological process..it will happen , get it out of your head that it won;t!! the maximum you will be pregnant for is another 2 weeks..you will have your baby for ever...

let us know what happens x

Original poster
lorie · 13/12/2006 16:08

Lulumama, thank you. What you have said makes

complete sense. I KNOW i am being silly and

only time will tell...I will really TRY now to be

positive! And you are so right, we don't have

that much longer to wait in the grand scheme of

things. I shall take your advice and relax.

Thank you again. Oh and I will def let you know

if things progress! xx

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lulumama · 13/12/2006 16:15
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Original poster
lorie · 17/12/2006 16:15

I am booked for a sweep on Thursday (21st), fingers crossed that something starts before then!!

Failing that I am prob looking at 27th Dec for induction...

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lulumama · 19/12/2006 20:50

ok..let me know how you get on!! think positive thoughts !

TheOlihantheIvy · 19/12/2006 21:19

Lorie, what plans have you got for Christmas Day? I'm only asking because I was due with ds on Xmas Day 2003 and we were so uptight about the possibility of something happening that we didn't go anywhere or do anything. It was honestly the worst christmas EVER! If you have family close enough that you can visit (bearing in mind it's very likely you'll have plently of time to get home even if you do go into labour) then I would seriously recommend going. Plus, if you are away from home, sod's law dictates something will happen!! Just try to have something planned for the day so that you aren't sitting about feeling fed up at still being pregnant.

Just keep in mind that you WILL meet your baby in 8 days no matter what, and do lots of walking, sideways stair walking and nipple stimulation in the meantime!!

Will keep my fingers crossed for Thursday! Kepp us updated on the antenatal thread too....

asleep · 19/12/2006 21:21

good luck lorie!

Original poster
lorie · 20/12/2006 14:01

Thank you. Yes the chiristmas day dilema! We have not made any plans as yet....we can visit family they are close by or we could have a quiet time at home (and opening lots of prezzies hopefully! he he).

I am still hoping that something will happen before then.......I have been having a show for the last few days (which is a good sign, no?) and crampy period pains but nothing that could be a contraction......so sweep tomorrow. gulp!

thanks again for your good luck wishes. xxx

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Tommy · 20/12/2006 14:29

would secind the make sure you do somehting suggestion - DS1 was due at Christmas 5 years ago and we hadn't planned anything - it really was the most boring Christmas ever and he wasn't born until 10th Jan

Good luck - hope it all gets going soon

lulumama · 20/12/2006 17:52

yes...show is good...means softening and hopefully dilating is starting,,the midwife can tell you more about the cervix tomorrow.......! fingers crossed !

Original poster
lorie · 23/12/2006 19:33

hello everyone, well Jake was born Thursday morning at 1.05am! So didn't need the sweep after all. And he's here for Christmas!

Thanks for the advice people have given me.

Good luck with the pregnancies and births.

xxxx

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lulumama · 23/12/2006 19:34

(((hug))) lovely news...thanks for taking the time to post! very well done..... xxxxxx

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