Sweep at 38 weeks

[ahedgehogisdueinMarch]

Ok here is my situation.....

25 weeks went to community m/w and told her hips and pelvis were really sore, did not have this with DS1 and she said I needed to be referred by GP to Physio. Saw GP he said no m/w has to refer you. At this point it says in my notes ?SPD?

Went back to m/w at 28 weeks - GP said you have to refer me to consultant/physio, she said no GP. No mention of SPD in my notes

Seen m/w twice more since then and GP and no one referred me until last week when \I basically told the m/w I wanted the baby out (was 35 weeks) due to their incompetence and inability to refer me. Still no mention of SPD in my notes

Fastforward to today - 36+1 and consultant appointment that last weeks m/w arranged. He said baby is too high for induction - well yeah I know it is at the moment as I am only 36 weeks but I asked whether it is possible to be booked in for an induction at 38 weeks to alleviate the suffering and pain I am in. He has written in my notes 'wishes IOL at 38/40 ? memb sweep next visit'

DS was born at 40+6 so is this sweep going to do anything. Is there anything I can do in the meantime to try and move baby down and engage it. Have got RLT and pineapple, but no chance of sex as DH gets in from work as I leave and goes to work as DS is going to bed (is nightshift manager). Would try curry but with current level of heartburn would probably add to current levels of nausea (constant all day sickness, not just morning )

If you have got through all of that well done. If not here is a synopsis -

SPD (probably), DS1 born at 40+6, is a sweep at 38 weeks going to be any use, is there anything I can do to make bump get into a good position for engaging/sweep/labour?

TBH no there is nothing you can do to make this baby come down, or come early or respond to induction.

My 2nd pregnancy was induced at 40+15, after 3 failed sweeps, however it went well after that. Previous to being induced I tried everything sex/nipple tweaking/curries/oral sex/rasp tea/long walks etc etc.

My 3rd pregnancy, I was swept at 38 weeks and ended up having 5 sweeps. Then taken in for induction at 40+12, induced again at 40+14, waters broken artificially at 40+15 then ds2 finally born by EMCS at 40+16 after a traumatic time in labour.

Can I suggest an osteopath to help with your pain. I had SPD in 2nd and 3rd pregnancies and I only had 4 or 5 osteopath treatments, from about 32 weeks and was virtually pain free and able to walk ds1 to school every day until 39 weeks.

HTH and sorry for being negative but I really dont believe that anything starts labour and babies really do come when they want

I can totally sympathise with you am 28 weeks with no4 and have crippling SPD as well, I know how miserable it makes you. I have ahd it with all the other 3 as well.

IME they will not induce you unless you have very severe SPD, there is a risk to induction and once you go down that route it can lead to all sorts of interventions.I don't think a sweep will be of any use unless you are hours away from labour anyway which you won't be at 38 weeks. The only times I have heard about induction for SPD is when women have been bang on their due date.

If I go overdue with this baby I am not having a sweep as they are very umcomfortable and I think they make no difference unless labour was due to start anyway. Sorry but I think there is absolutely nothing that can be done to make labour start sooner than it is supposed to and believe me I have tried almost all the old wives tales there is I know how desperate you are.

For me physio doens't work either as my hip joints are so soft the minute they move them they just move back into the incorrect position again, last time I was told there was nothing that could be done for me and delivery was the only cure this time a combination of being very lazy and only walking when necessary and cocodamol when I am very sore is making it almost bearable.

Can you not self refer to a physio, that's what we do here, you just phone up the hospital and ask for an appt with a specialist maternity physio? Agree with the others try a belt too.

[http://www.birth-angels.com/fetal.html Optimal Foetal Positioning] Can't promise a miracle but it's worth a go.

They can take you into hospital if the SPD gets too bad. I have something that mimics SPD - currently have opted for commode and bed in front room (since about 16 weeks - now 40+3).

Ditto the refferal to post-natal phisio, really, really, really important - don't let life with a new baby get in the way of it. If you get passed around again, contact your local PALS. You should also have an appt with a phisio to talk about birth positions, really important - don't let anyone grab your legs and push. Take a piece of ribbon or a dressing gown chord and tie it round your legs at the point where it is comfortable to open them - no one should try to open your legs passed this point.

Incase no phisio appt basic best birth positions for SPD are supposed to be lying on left side with knees drawn up to chest or on all fours.

This is my first so I've not got any actual experience - just passing on info, hope it's helpful.

oops try that again Optimal Foetal Positioning