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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

41 week Antinatal appointment tommorow

18 replies

Ryoko · 03/05/2010 21:22

Tis my first child, I'm expecting to be offered a sweep should I say yes or no? how bad is it.

I have a plan maybe say yes to a sweep if that doesn't work say yes to induce via gel if they moan about it and if they start going on about inducing via a drip ask for a C-section.

My partners mother has 5 kids one was induced via a drip she said even with the epidural she had to have it was the most painful birth of the lot so I'd prefer to be cut open.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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smallishsheep · 03/05/2010 21:27

They won't induce for another week I would have thought.
I would say yes to a sweep. It's worth a shot. But as impatient as you may be feeling, you really really should try to avoid induction. I had one with my first, for no reason other than being fed up. It led to a whole host of interventions that tbh needn't have happened.
The best thing you can do is to try and rest and get ready for the birth. These alst few days are so precious, even though it doesn't feel it at the time!

ThePinkOne · 03/05/2010 21:32

I was convinced that DS would be late and decided that I wouldn't even have a sweep until I was 40w +10 and then think about induction at 42 weeks. You have to accept that every baby's different and they might just want a bit longer in there! (Obviously not to the point where it could be dangerous!)

He came on his due date in the end, so don't know the relevance of my point! Baby might come tonight - you never know

Original poster

Ryoko · 03/05/2010 21:50

Well I know it's been head down for a month, I would really like them to do a scan to see if it can come out anyway, but after reading the booklet about what they do, it says they don't offer an over due scan until they have tried something.

OP posts:

ThePinkOne · 03/05/2010 21:55

Are you getting impatient?! Mine were both head down throughout.

A sweep is the least invasive thing I guess, and can't hurt to try. You don't really need to plan the next step. Just have a sweep and see what they say. The midwife will tell you if the cervix is soft and whatever else they look for. Give it a day or two and then think again perhaps?

thehen · 03/05/2010 22:00

Go for a sweep, it's not that bad. You can have several if your midwife thinks it will help. I was induced with my first at 41+3. In hindsight I should have held out a few more days as he was ready to be born I think anyway. Currently 38 weeks with baby number 2. If I have to I will hold out til 42 weeks with this one. Good luck!

Original poster

Ryoko · 03/05/2010 22:03

I am fed up with not being able to do anything, it's really getting me down.

my back is killing me most of the time, the kids beating me up from the inside and pulling on muscles and every time I leave the flat I end up being barely able to walk for about 2 days due to the pain at the top of my legs (I think it's walking up all the stairs to get home that does it, there is no lift here).

Plus everyone moaning "is it out yet?", "drink Raspberry tea", "don't let them induce you" etc etc.

OP posts:

Northernlurker · 03/05/2010 22:07

Induction using a drip is (I believe) very painful - but you can have an epidural which WILL deal with that and you'd have a much easier time recovering than from a c-section. Don't feel you have to have a c-section because induction will be too painful.

smallishsheep · 03/05/2010 22:09

thehen, do hold on> I held out with my second, was 11 days over just like the first, but was the best labour ever 3.5 hours from start to finish, 8 minutes pushingall completely natural. I was on a and such a high afterwards. The recovery time was much quicker without epidural, pethidine or stitches too.

Ryoko, I know it seems you have been pregnant forever. Trust me, I know But you have nothing to lose, and everything to gain, by waiting for things to kick off naturally

Original poster

Ryoko · 03/05/2010 22:21

Well I'd prefer to be left alone but I am expecting them to moan about a sweep tomorrow so how bad is it?.

No way would I have an epidural the idea of having something stuck in my spine no way, so I would like to avoid drip induction anyway I can if they start going on about it.

Of course I might be worrying about nothing, they might not want to rush and be happy to check the baby with a scan and see how it goes, but if they want to sweep I just want to know if it's a really nasty thing I should say no to or if it's not that bad so I might as well go for it.

OP posts:

smallishsheep · 03/05/2010 22:28

It will be uncomfortable, but it's nothing compared to labour
Why do you assume you'd get a drip? My induction was done by pessary

Northernlurker · 03/05/2010 22:28

If you won't have an epidural (or spinal aneasthetic) though and won't be induced you'd have to have a c-section under GA - which isn't great for anybody.

I've never had a sweep but from what I'be heard it's not a huge amount of fun - in the way that your smear isn't the best five minutes of your life - but it's preferable to the alternatives. Good Luck

Original poster

Ryoko · 03/05/2010 22:49

Well isn't induction 2 times with gel and then if that don't work a drip?.

OP posts:

Northernlurker · 04/05/2010 00:20

The gel ripens the cervix and they can then have a go at breaking your waters. If all that doesn't work they put you on a drip to get things moving but for a lot of post term inductions gel and waters going will do the trick.

Trying4Baby1 · 04/05/2010 08:08

Hiya, a sweep is about as uncomfortable as a smear test. I had one on Sunday at 41weeks and I've got a checkup today. Since 3am on Monday I've been getting contractions on and off and I've had a show so hopefully will be told at my appointment that baby is on the way. I don't want to be induced either so I thought having a sweep wouldn't hurt as it can trigger things if you're ready, it also means that you can find out how ready your cervix is and if you're likely to be waiting a while yet. Like everything else it's not a sure thing though! Good luck today!

HarderToKidnap · 04/05/2010 11:10

The induction process involves the gel (or tablet or tampon, depending what your hospital uses) being inserted up to three times, about six hours apart. A fourth can be inserted. They will put as many of the gels in as they need to to get your cervix open and soft enough to break your waters. They won't (in the UK) use the drip until they have managed to break your waters, so the gel will have to work a little bit!

Incidentally, what you will be requesting is a CS under GA, if you don't want needles in your spine. There is no chance they will agree to this on the day, as it were. If this is seriously a plan you want to put in place you need to see a consultant NOW and get a plan done. Hospitals aren't like restaurants, you can't go in and select what you will try - "I'll try the gel but if I need the drip I want a CS" - it doesn't work like that. If you want something out of the ordinary you need to get it all sorted and everyone informed before hand. Best of luck.

Original poster

Ryoko · 04/05/2010 20:07

Are you saying they use the drip after the gel?

I was just there and had a sweep, I'm booked in for induction now they said it would be gel when I asked if it involved a drip.

OP posts:

Northernlurker · 04/05/2010 22:37

Yes they use the gel first, then they break your waters but if you don't contract enough at that point they will use a drip to get things moving. They don't put you straight on to the drip.

Kity · 05/05/2010 13:36

I know its uncomfortable and the last few days are a real drag, but if you can take the opportunity to rest and stock up on some sleep! coz boy do you need it! Its all amazing and marvellous having your little bundle in your arms but you will be glad of resting the final few days once he/she is here.
Best of luck with the birth

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