overdue: whats better- pessary or membrane sweep?

[ranirani]

Hi I am 40+1, seeing my MW on Monday, and just need an advise in case the question of induction comes up, what is better - pessary or gel or membranes sweep?
I heard that sweep is quite uncomfortable and even could be painful.
But with pessary or gel, they will have to monitor the baby, is it right?
and aslo membarnes thingy is more natural than pessary or I am mistaken again?

Hi ranirani. The more 'natural' the less effective, but also the less harmful side effects iyswim.

The best thing you can do really, is to relax and stimulate the 'good feeling' hormone. So sex, massage, a comedy, a glass of wine, a bar of chocolate or even sexy thoughts are all helpful things.

Induction may well come up, but imo talking about it this early can put pressure on the mother and make her anxious which releases the hormones than inhibit labour. The best thing you could probably do is say that you'd rather not discuss induction yet as it is still very early days.

If I remember correctly, this is your first baby, so it is NORMAL to be fairly late.

Oh, thank you, Snowlight
it is my first baby you do remember!! so sweet
you are right, I need to relax now rather than think of induction.

thanks again x

Yes I remember, but MY how time flies!

I seem to remember you've had a few nerves too.

Do you have any relaxation techniques? If you do, now is a good time to practice and to get rest. If not, it isn't too late to try some deep calm breathing.

Your MW may suggest an induction date. It'll probably be easier at this stage to just agree. Just because there is a date booked some time in the future doesn't mean you have to do anything about it, and it doesn't mean you can't keep pushing it back if you want to. However, don't start any battles yet, just take it easy and one day at a time and enjoy some peace before the storm!

Good luck!

I was 40+9 when I gave birth the morning before a scheduled membrane sweep.
The sweep is a physical way of the midwife trying to get things going.

I was keen to avoid induction but equally recognised the importance of avoiding the risks of going too far beyond the due date.

As I understand it the gel/pessary option is the next step if the sweep didn't work. As it introduces hormones directly into the vagina and can speed up the natural process you need to be monitored.

In my experience you want to decide your ideal birth plan and approach and then hold firm whilst taking advice. Otherwise you will end up doing what is convenient for others.
Good Luck

Hi ranirani

Other posters might have different experiences but I can only say DO NOT go for a membrane sweep. It was the most excrutiatingly painful thing I have ever, ever experienced and it was done without my permission or prior knowledge on the premise of checking how dilated I was in early labour. I'd gone in to hospital in early labour because my amniotic fluids were leaking - they sent an ambulance - and I think that the midwife just wanted to get my labour moving more quickly than it was. I wasn't overdue and DS wasn't in distress so I don't know why she did it. I still come out in a cold sweat now just thinking about it, hence my post.

I apologise for being blunt but it involved the midwife inserting her rather large fingers into my not very dilated cervix and rummaging about a bit. DP had nipped out to the loo and came in during the procedure and couldn't decide whether to peel me off the ceiling or to tackle the midwife to the floor. It might be more natural than a chemically/hormonally loaded pessary or gel but it was invasive and incredibly painful. My enitre 13 hour labour didn't compare, put it like that.

I understand from my midwife neighbour that membrane sweeps these days are rarely done because they are painful and invasive but you should really talk to your midwife. I would say unless you are well dilated to avoid it if at all possible.

Firstly, most babies will arrive within 40+10, so relax about an induction

Secondly, with consent and properly over dates, a sweep will not hurt!.
The m/w can have a feel of your cervix first see if it is in any way starting to efface/dilate, come forward into an anterior position.
If it is, you are likely to labour very soon anyway and the sweep will likely just speed things along a little.

I'm currently 40+5, have had a sweep at 39+3 I was not really ready and it did hurt.
Had another at 40+1 & was much more ready and it wasn't painful, maybe a little uncomfortable, but she does have her hand up your foof, so you know....

I can fully understand your impatience to get things going, I would try sex, sex, and some more sex. Dh comes first missionary position with you O'ing afterwards.

Pessary and gels are administered in hospital as part of an induction AFAIK. For your first baby I would honestly try to avoid induction at all costs.

I went 40 + 12 with DS.
I had a sweep about 40 + 2ish IIRC. It was a bit uncomfortable but really didn't do anything. if your body isn't ready it isn't going to go. (in fact I had been having little pains all morning, when she did the sweep they just stopped)

I then had the pessaries at 40 + 12. First one at 9ish. had to spend an hour with the baby being monitored then roamed around. came back every hour so they could check my temp and stuff. mild contractions all day. next one at 4. again, monitored baby for an hour then at 5 proper contractions kicked in and DS was born just after 9.

Everyone's experience is different of course, but that's how it was for me!
HTH!