Being induced due to GD between 39-40 weeks, any point having a sweep done this early to try and start labour off?

[DawnAS]

Hi All,

I've been "informed" by the diabetics team and my Consultant at the hospital that due to my GD, they will not let me go past my due date and will probably induce between 39-40 weeks if our little girl remains within the average size ranges like she is at the moment (currently 33 weeks).

A friend of mine had sweeps for both of her PGs which started her labours, but she was over 41 weeks PG both times.

Is it worth me even thinking about a sweep before 40 weeks, or should I just resign myself to being induced?

Can't even do the Pineapple or Curry thing due to sugar levels - will have to rely on sex to try and start it I guess...

First baby, can you tell?!

I would advise against an early sweep because if your cervix isn't ready it will be a pointless and uncomfortable experience. Only have one done if it is abslutely necessary - had a sweep with 2 of my DCs and it didn't kickstart labour with either of them, despite being 41 weeks pregnant with one and almost 42 weeks with the other!
Your baby will come when s/he's ready and until then just enjoy doing all the things you can do without children (lie-ins, lounging about, long baths etc!) because those first few weeks will be a whirl of feeding, nappies and sleepless nights! All great fun (I've had 4 so it clearly didn't trouble me enough to stop at 1!) but before you know it life will change beyond recognition!
Good luck!

Thank you FrankMustard. I've also heard that inducing before due date is often not successful either, for the same reason, that neither you nor baby are ready.

So resigning myself to a C-Section as they won't let me go to 40 weeks due to higher risk of Stillbirth with GD.

Thank you again!

It's also not pleasant if your body's not ready for it and I don't think there's any reason why any heavily pregnant woman should be exposed to anything unpleaant of uncomfortable "down there" if there's not a valid need/guaranteed plus-side to it!
Good luck with it all! Not worth the risk of anything happening so just go with the flow with C-section - and enjoy the bonny result!

Thank you again.

I would definitely prefer to go for a C-section but I don't think they'll let me without trying to induce me first...

Oh well, I'm off to see the MW tomorrow so will ask her then, whether the hospital will let me have a C-section with no other reason than GD...