Really pee'd off with midwife...

[Scubes]

Hi

I'm 38+5 with 2nd lo. With first baby I sustained 3rd degree tear. Saw the Consultant in February who has said they do not want this baby to be heavier at birth than my first who was 8lbs. Also advised against prolonged second stage or instrumental delivery.

Scanned at 37 weeks and estimated fetal weight was 6lbs 9ozs.

I was 2 weeks overdue with first baby and obviously it wouldn't be ideal to go over again as baby will get bigger so yesterday I asked if I could have sweep at 39 weeks. Midwife refused, she didn't read my notes and said they woulnd't do sweep until 41 weeks. She told me to 'go with the flow'.

I don't want a bigger baby, I don't want to risk tearing again, I don't want to end up with EMCS and I don't want to go overdue.

Any advice? Was just really annoyed she wouldn't look through my notes or take it seriously.

Could you not ask the consultant for an elcs? I would try and book an appointment with the consultant rather than another midwife appointment and discuss your options.

Did you tell her what the consultant said? She really should not ignore what the consultant says.

If you can get an appointment in time, I would definitely try and see the consultant again.....what did he say they would do to prevent you having a bigger baby? ELCS? Induction? I would have thought if he was really that concerned he would be booking you in for an induction at 40 weeks tbh....I think that's what i would push for if I were you.

Also, a bigger baby doesn't necessarily mean another 3rd degree tear I don't think.....it certainly didn't in my case. DD2 was 1.5lb bigger than DD1 but my tear was less severe (2nd degree with both but only a small one second time round). Have you been doing perenial massage or have you considered a water birth?

Good luck!

size of baby doesn't really correlate to tearing.

its much more important to remain upright, don't push unless you want to and let the baby crown slowly.

the mw can also can also put a hot compress on your perineum as the baby is crowning.

obviously being in water reduces the chance of tearing significantly, and perineal massage helps too.

also, scans to determine size are very inaccurate. they are rarely used now as a long thin baby can be misinterpreted as a larger baby (etc etc)

anyway, good luck!