VBAC- running out of options after 41 weeks?

[Taichimum]

Am 40+5 today and planning an HBAC. Midwife did not want to do a sweep today as they don't do before 41 weeks. She also said the head was high and they would not do the sweep because of that anyway. I got the impression she thinks that I will not be going into labour any time soon. I am booked to see a consultant for a sweep/decsion making on Wed when I will be 41+4. Midwife said the consultant would not do a sweep if the head was still high like it is now and would go to a section.
However, I thought it was common for second babies head not be engaged until labour anyway. Does this really mean that sweeps are ineffective in this case, even at such a late stage?
They do not want me to go over 42 weeks because it is a VBAC, so c-section at the end of next week would be the only option it seems. Does anyone know if you could or should carry on for longer with a VBAC? What are the reasons not to? I am not dead against a planned section but would like to know if I have options before I see the consultant.
I do not under any circumstances want to be induced.

I was in exactly the same situations 4 weeks ago. I was given a sweep by the consultant but she still booked me in for a section 7 days later, thankfully for me the sweep helpedand my labour finally kicked in 6 days later! i think the reason they dont like you to go over 42 weeks is due to ur scar rupturing and they also dont tend to let you go any longer than 6 hours in established labour for the same reason. i so hope things go the way you have planned and wish you the best of luck

I was just going to say don't under any circumstances be induced, and then I saw you already said this. I was induced as part of an attempted VBAC and it was really horrible! Good luck

The 42 week thing is the same with eiterh VBAC OR VB, it is aroudn the time the placenta stops working therefore doesn't support the baby any longer which can cause issues.
You can ask to continue monitoring of the placenta and the baby, I'm not sure how long it is safe for though.
Have you thought about maybe acupressure or a homeopath, often they can help start a natural induction which your body itself will do, if you're desperate for a VBAC it's definitely worth looking into. (I'm looking to book an appointment with one at 39weeks for my VBA2C if I haven't started labour by then.)
Good Luck.

I went into labour with my vba3c at 42 weeks exactly. Thank gawd. The midwives said they'd let me go to 43 weeks and they did do a scan at 42 weeks to check the placenta function - I went into labour on the san table and had to hurry out of the hozzie so I could get my homebirth
Dunno about the 6 hour labour. My labour was 10 hours and I was monitored with a doppler thingy and no-one said I had to get a move on or anything.

taichimum,

second + babies often dont engage.
i have never heard of them not doing a sweep because of this alone.

stay positive. they may not 'want' you to go past 42 weeks, but like neednomorecoffee said, she would have, and you can.
i dont know of any studies which say you 'can't' go over because of a vbac.

resons for 42wk thing is placenta function, but this can be checked.

take a look at:

aims.org.uk and homebirth.org.uk for some great vbac info.

xxxx

There is no evidence to suggest that the placenta 'stops working'at any point during pregnancy. There is no agreement as to why more stillbirths occur after 42 weeks but the accepted stats are that 1 in 3000 babies die at 37 weeks, 3 in 3000 at 42 weeks and 6 in 3000 at 43 weeks. We don't know if these babies would have died anyway. It's one of those decisions we make as mums whose babies hang around longer than 40 weeks! As far as I'm aware, stripping of membranes isn't contraindicated if the head is high, although rupturing the membranes is (as the cord may become trapped - not an issue in sweeping the membranes as the aim is to get the prostaglandins going - unless the mw is worried she may break your waters by mistake?)
Hope this is helpful! Good luck.
Rupturing of the scar is extremely rare. 0.5% springs to mind but you'd have to check.

Sorry, forgot to add, if you have expectant management the Royal College of Obs & Gynae recommend twice weekly CTG and amniotic fluid checks.

It is 0.5% risk of scar rupture and an even lower percentage that is actually serious.

Hi,

I went to 43 +1 with my first and had daily monitoring for 1 hour a day from wk 42. Having said that he was a whopping 10lb 2oz! Reflexology worked with my 2nd (having tried homeopathy and lots of sex which didin't work!)
Good luck!

I had a vba2c at 40+17, I was scanned a couple of times to ensure that the placenta was ok.

It mattered a great deal to me as to how I gave birth, I am also very pleased my baby came when she was ready and not when some medic decided. My baby did not come out all shrivelled up, she obviously came out at the right time for her and both my two vba2cs are such placid easy going little souls (most of the time anyway), FYI the other vba2c came along at 40+11, I 'cook' babies for longer

No one can force you into a section, you have ultimate control, you can always say that you will go away and think about it

this group are really helpful and can point you in the right direction for any info you might want

Good luck

I think all the options have been covered, but just wanted to say I know how you are feeling & sympathise.

I was hoping for a VBAC with DS, but he ended up being born by el c/s at 40+10, having disengaged his head & gone into an oblique lie at 40+8.....little bugger

I was really disappointed, but as my cervix was totally not ready & my BP was creeping up as well (& I'd had pre-E in first pregnancy) it was the only option really, as I was dead set against induction too. Turned out to be a good decision in hte end as DS was 10lb 10.5oz & his head was over the 98th percentile....

I think disengaging was his way of saying "I don't fancy coming out that way!"

Sometimes there is a reason things are the way they are...

BTW I had 2 sweeps which did NADA (DS's head was never fully engaged) - I think sweeps only work if you would have been going into labour on your own in the next few days anyway

Good luck whatever course you decide on.

Thanks for all your posts. I now feel at 40 +8 that I would not mind a section at the end of the week, just to put an end to it! Midwife came yest and head still really high. Again no sweep was attempted- sending me for a scan on Monday to check all is still good in there, which is reassuring.
Because I was planning a home birth I think the consultant will be willing to leave me for as long as sensible, maybe until 42+2 next week. However I am thinking like Betsyboop that maybe it is just not mean't to be. I think I could live without ever having a masacre of my lady garden tbh and may push for section at end of week at 42 weeks anyway if babe is till not here.
I hope this is not me just bottling it about giving birth but I can't help but think the longer it goes on, the more things can go wrong with a vbac.
I now have no great birth apsirations. I just want a healthy baby and not to be pg any more!

Any news yet Taichimum ?

I've been thinking of you, as when I was ion your shoes it was the longest week of my life