40+3 and not possible to do sweep - is it going to be a long wait?

[SleepySleeperson]

I'm 40+3 with DC3 and have just seen my midwife who wasn't able to do a sweep because my cervix was too high, closed etc - basically unreachable. Despite this, I have been convinced that things were starting to happen - lots of tightenings, restlessness, backache etc. My other two DCs were pretty much on time, but I'm now thinking that I'm probably in for the long haul and starting to imagine induction and all sorts.

The head is not engaged, and I have lots of fluid, so the tightenings clearly aren't really having an effect.

Is it possible for labour to start imminently or am I looking at a long wait?

Anyone have any experience? I'd be grateful x

Anyone?

I think it's a "how long is a piece of string" question, really. Subsequent babies don't always engage before, but can wait right up to the last minute to go down. Best of luck to you anyway.

Not sure anyone can give you an answer to your question.

I was 40 weeks and went for a sweep when pg with dc1, couldn't do the sweep for the same reasons as you and then it took a further 10 days of waiting for dd to make an appearance. I was offered induction for 40+10 but the night before she decided she was ready to come out with absolutely no sign of anyting happening, one minute nothing, no niggles or anything, next full blown contractions.

I read that, if it's your 2nd+ baby, your cervix can go from zero to hero in a matter of hours. So who knows basically?!

It's not going to be much longer than a week and a half anyway

Love the thought of zero to hero in a matter of hours! That's going to get me through the next week or so.

Thanks for your replies.

Hi, I am in the same boat, but no previous experience! 40+5 and wasn't possible to do a sweep... i am dreading an induction which my doc would like to do next week.... I was told by midwives to have lots of sex (semen is very apparently very important for softening cervix), reflexology, swim, eat curry, take evening primrose oil and drink rasberry leaf tea... If your baby's head is not engaged the best thing to do is swim breaststoke as much as possible and do lots of supported squats (if you are physically ok, then do yogic squats), looking close to this www.yogajournal.com/poses/2472
hope things go well for you! xx