Last couple of midwife appointments.

[NoTeaForMe]

Hi,

I don't know what I'm expecting but I just wondered if anything different happens at the last couple of midwife appointments? I have my 38 week appointment on tues and then another at 40 weeks. Just wondering if they do anything other than feel the babys position externally and check the heartbeat and my urine sample?

Thanks

Had my 38 (+4) week appointment last week and it was standard stuff as you say above. I am being seen again today at 39 +4 as I had been a bit under the weather at 38 weeks.

I'm going to ask the midwife quite a few questions today about what happens at future appointments (ie once I'm at 40 weeks)and may even ask her today to have a quick check to see if my cervix is doing anything helpful. So I may well have a better answer for you this evening.....

No - usual stuff. She should raise (or you can raise) what happens if you go past 40 weeks. EG. sweeps, inductions vs monitoring. She may even book you in for sweep and/or induction (you don't have to take the appointment if you don't want).

No internal unless you ask, and even then she may prefer not to as it won;t necessarily tell you anything.

Had my last pre-due-date MW appointment at 38+2 and now not booked in to see anyone unless I go over when I have another MW booked for 40+2 and then doctors at 40+4. At the 38 week one it was the usual stuff - blood pressure, urine, listen to baby, check baby's position. They did talk about the conversations that would happen if I do go over - i.e. would have the conversation about induction and sweeps. I wasn't asked to make any decisions, they just wanted me to be aware that those conversations would be had. All felt like a bit of an anti-climax! Which I suppose is good, really!

I had an appointment yesterday Im due today(!!) it was all standard stuff was hoping she would give me a sweep but got another apointment next week and will have one then if no baby by then. will also put me in the 'over due book' and hospital will contact me for induction apparently!
One thing I realised is that she didnt measure bump??

Cher - I suspect it is a bit late now! Plus, if the heartbeat and movement was fine that's a much better indication of the baby's well-being.

No tea for me - found out today that my 40 week appointment is actually going to be at 40+6 at home (it would normally be 40 + 4) - which is late enough for the midwife to be able to do a membrane sweep on me and stand a 50% chance of it working..

She wouldn't examine me today as I'm not quite at 40 weeks. She said after 40 weeks I can ask for help to get things moving but she wouldn't really recommend it before 41 weeks or thereabouts.

Everything else at the "40 week" appt will be the same - blood pressure, urine, listening to baby's heart etc.

After the appt at 40 + 6 if that doesn't work we will work out how to proceed - there seems to be a lot less structure to the appts once you get that far.

Of course if anything happens in the meantime such as me feeling less movement or unwell, the correct course of action is to ring the hospital straightaway and go down there, rather than waiting to see the community midwife.

Hope that helps