Should I have a cervical sweep?

[beckmo]

I'm 41 weeks tommorow and seeing my midwife. She said she would offer me a sweep tommorow and then, if it doesn't work, follow it up with another one on Sunday. Her advice was to go home and google it (she's lovely but this has been her advice on every stage of my pregnancy from being rhesus negative to thinking about induction -shes just too busy to give teh information herself!). Have googled it and it seems 50/50 that it works and don't want to put myself through an unecessary uncomfortable procedure if this is the case....or maybe I'm a bit scared of going into labour really quickly and want it to come on its own accord.

Talking about induction dates tommorow as well. Do they usually leave you to go the full 42 weeks before advising induction?Sorry -I know thsi has all been asked before but all I have is google and MN!

Thanks ladies. Its all new to me. Good luck beckmo I'll be eagerly monitering your progress and hope baby comes soon 4u

Thanks ladies.

That's reassuring Reikizen.

x

tally - My cervix was 2 cm and then 3 cms dilated when I had sweeps and they hurt. Not a lot - I'd say it was more uncomfortable than really painful but it's definitely not true that it's painless if you've started to dilate. Sorry!

Oh sweetheart, how difficult for you. I think I'd have felt exactly the same if I'd gone over that long. {{{{HUGS}}}}

I've not had a sweep before so not much use to you, but I think if it got to next week and you were looking at that or an induction, I'd probably take the sweep. Just from what I've heard though.

I really hope that things kick off for you very, very soon...you just can never tell, I'd no idea I was going to go into labour until it happened, I think I was also very frightened which probably made Ds a bit late...
not so much of labour, but of the complicated things we'll have to deal with now he's here (ie his less than helpful father!)

Anyway it really won't be long now darling.
Maybe if you feel up to it, try the exercise/walking thing, I had a long trip round town with Ds1 the day before. Hard work but might have been the kickstart!

XXXX

Beckmo, is this your first baby? If so, go with the flow and savour every last moment of your pregnancy, aching back, beached whale feeling etc etc etc, cos once baby comes along your life will never, ever, ever be the same If not, well just ignore me

Thanks FA and ST. Spent yesterday doing all those things and now much more relaxed about this baby coming when he or she comes. Went on a 2 hour walk with DH, spent an hour in a pub and went for a lunchtime curry together before falling asleep for the afternoon in front of Seinfield. Kind of forgot I was pregnant and really pleased we had this extra weekend together just as a couple!Think last week drove me mad because I was alone in the day and then awake most the night. Seeing midwife again today but alot less concerned about the outcome or having another go at a sweep.

Having said all that -with my mood swings I'll probably be back on here in a minute penning a "I can't take much more!!!" thread...

FA-hope your fears have been alleviated now the baby has come and you are getting enough support -if not from your little son's father then from others around you....And that you are enjoying your new addition! x

OK..."I can't take much more!!!!".

Just as I predicted.

10 days overdue with a cervix which seems to be positioned at the back of my neck and about as ripe as the pineapple I forced myself to eat earlier (which was VERY unripe).Sigh.4am MN posts. I'll look back at this in a week and smile fondly.

Well done, it sounds as if you really made the most of the weekend, and remember what Klaw said about a lot of babies having to be born 2 weeks after to make the average work out! I'm sure your little one will be here as soon as he or she is ready.
I still feel jittery about baby's dad but now baby is here, he's so wonderful that I know we'll deal with it...thanks for your kind words

I'll be checking in to see what happens with you, gosh you must have had a bad night being up so early...as a word of comfort, when you're up in the night with baby, it's much, much nicer than when you're 41+ weeks pregnant and can't sleep!!!
Praying for a little bundle for you very soon xxx

Hi beckmo, you must be feeling so frustrated. Today is d-day for me and I'm not sure how I feel about it. At the moment I keep thinking, "actually, it'll be good if the baby doesn't come today because I've got to do XYZ..."

If it's any consolation Trendaverter on the due in June thread is not over 42 weeks so she will totally understand how you feel.

hey i had a sweep at 41 weeks and had a show, then had another at 41+2 days at 12 midday and went into labour at 9.30pm that evening! it wasn't that uncomfortable, i would def have one again if ever needed! my induction date was 3 days after my 2nd sweep at 41 +5.

good luck with everything and hope this was useful in some way!

Hi Beckmo,

Commiserations. I went two weeks overdue with both of my kids. The first time I was induced after an unsuccessful sweep, but with my second birth the sweep worked - hurray - and I went into labour about 16 hours later. Both sweeps were entirely painless and if they can have another go at you, I'd go for it, given the choice. I'd opt for a sweep any day over induction, having experienced both.

I'm onto my third pregnancy now and am having to have a casaerean this time round - which after all that eternal waiting around on both of the previous occasions is actually quite a relief. I tried everything to encourage my last 2 into the world - long walks in the dead of winter, sex, curries, even homeopathic ermedies, and nothing worked. Seems like if you have an in-built longer cycle, there's not all that much you can do about it - and our medical profession simply brands you abnormal and forces the baby out whichever way they can. So much for letting events take their natural course.

Thanks again ladies. 2nd attempt at sweep wasn't possible as cervix again 'very posterior and very closed'. Midwifes being excellent and lovely. Monitored yesterday and baby fine so feeling relaxed. I'm going for induction tommorow (Weds) and as much as part of me thinks I should hold off until after 42 weeks (Friday)and give the baby some more time the overwhelming feeling is one of relief that I can start this labour and that my Baby will be here by Friday at the latest.

Going to run through all the last ditch attempts today again however...you do not want to know what I downed in my orange juice last night,having 4th pineapple in as many days for breakfast, birthing ball has nearly been bounced through the floorboards and Holland and Barrett now know me on first name terms!

Thanks for all your advice and support x

Were you drink "oral prostaglandins" in that OJ Beckmo?

Beckmo! Natural prostaglandins! Much better than the artificial stuff which is made from pig semen......

Just remember to ask for Bishop's Score before going ahead with induction. If less than 9 you might want to consider rescheduling.

And from anecdotal experiences of friends, make sure that the HCPs listen to you about what you are feeling. The number of times I've heard ppl say that mw said they couldn't be in labour yet as they'd only had the pessary so far... But they were and felt so alone.

I'm sure that many of you know how I feel about induction so will not say any more but will answer questions if you want!

Bumperlicious ...yep.

DH muttered something about being mortified at which point I reminded him that he had only that morning witnessed me being internally examined by a complete stranger.

Klaw -thanks so much. Would have asked loads of questions yesterday but too busy walking, bouncing, packing... have always thought I would push to have any induction left until as late as possible but I just want to get started now...and I suppose I have a bit of 'the fear'. Just want the baby here safe.
Your advice is great though and I will def ask about bishops score.Want to come into hospital with me? I've got sarnies?

Well...in at 7.30am which probably means...oooohhh...first attempt sometime after lunch if my bed hasn't been cancelled and tehere's enough staff knowing the NHS!Hopefully birth announcement on its way soon.

Oh and anyone in same situation -the OJ technique,once you really can't do it any other way again, wasn't as gross as it sounds. Just didn't bloody work!

Good luck sweetheart, you're so brave, I'm sure it'll be just fine. I'll be thinking of you.

XXXX

ROFL @ the OJ! It's not as weird as it sounds, it was something mooted on our antenatal thread, just not sure DH would oblige! Good on yours though, doing his bit!

Not that it worked -I'm sat here holding Eliza bought on not by any gross OJ concoctions or by a sweep but by prostoglandins administered on a labour ward and a pair of forceps!

She's gorgeous and its lucky I did go in to be induced. There weren't any beds as I predicted but soon were when they checked my blood pressure and found it to be through the roof and Eliza's heart rate to be dipping.

Labour was really manageable until the last hour and a half when I suddenly dilated from 2-10cm and she was in distress. Just avoided an emergency caesearan by the skin of my teeth (no anethetist availiable -don't want to think about what might have happened to her if I suddenly hadn't have got to 10cms) and I pushed her out without any pain relief.Not because I'm brave -I had no choice! Had to have forceps and episiotomy as her heart rate was so low and she needed a little work doing on her when she arrived which was scary.Midwives and medics brilliant as was the postnatal care.

Anyway all fine now and eventually got home. She has taken to breastfeeding like a dream and has the fluffiest little head. Sigh.....I can't stop sniffing her.

I will post this on the announcement thread but wanted to pop in here too and thank you all for all your advice in that last long week. x

gosh..what a birth ! congratulations xxxxxx

Thbnaks Lulu -Oh god she's gorgeous!

Labour now seems a distant memory...I'm sure I wasn't so positive about it a few days ago but now even having my stitches put in is remembered for the banter I was having with the Drs...and the medical student dropping my palcenta on the floor!

splat !!