Worried in case I need a sweep/induction

[Queazy]

Hi

I'm only 38 weeks but need to book my 40 week appointment with the midwife in case the baby doesn't come by then. The midwife said they'd start with a sweep and then induction would be 2-3 days before I'm 42 weeks. I have endometriosis and it's caused scar tissue that makes sex very painful. I have a real fear of internal examinations including smear tests. This is totally ridiculous I know, as childbirth will be a million times more painful, but I'm really worried about the sweep and induction. Does anyone have experience of these that they'd be willing to share?

I know I may go into labour naturally, but bizarrely I'm more worried about the sweep/induction bit than the birth.

Thanks all xx

You don't have to agree to the sweep, they don't have a fantastic success rate anyway. Personally I had already decided I didn't want a sweep with DS, was planning on reflexology to try and start labour then proceed straight to induction. Also planned to refuse induction until 42+ and go for daily monitoring.

As it happened, he arrived on my due date so didn't need to worry :) good luck!

You don't have to have a sweep. Just say you don't want one. I have an extreme phobia of internals and did not have one when I was in labour either. They are not necessary. An experienced midwife can tell how far advanced your labour is by other signs.

You don't need to agree to the sweep, they're rarely successful with first pregnancies as your cervix is likely to be too closed for the midwife to get her fingers in. I think at 40 weeks is a bit early too, with both mine they didn't talk about sweeps until I was about 1 week over and it was very much up to me. I did try with both and it was uncomfortable, quite painful while being done and then some period pain type cramps afterwards. Had no effect with DD1 and I was induced (although only needed gel applied to cervix to get things going), with DD2 labour started about 10hrs after the sweep. On both occasions midwife was completely accurate on how effective she thought the sweep had been as she could tell how 'ripe' my cervix felt.

My advice would be to try not to go along with the NHS's preferred timetable of what should happen when. It's perfectly normal to have your baby any where from 38 - 42 weeks. With DD1 I was 17 days overdue and was lucky to have a very supportive midwife who let me go as overdue as I wanted so long as I agreed to close monitoring as we approached the 42 week point.

Good luck!

As others have said, you don't have to have a sweep or internals, but if you want to have them and you have scar tissue in that area, you're well within your rights to ask for gas and air for any internal things.

I was in a similar position to you - I explained it to my mw who told me to ask for g and a for any internals and she also wrote it in my notes. I got a few raised eyebrows but had it for both sweeps and then for internals while in early labour. It made them much more bearable.

To be honest, once labour was established I wouldn't have had a clue if anyone was rummaging about down there as I was mostly off my head on the drugs :)

Thank you so much - your messages have really helped put my mind at rest: I'd got so caught up in the timetable that I'd lost sight of the fact that its a choice - I think I'm going to say no to the sweep and put off induction as long as possible. Gas and air is a good idea too. I've had even-more-sleepless nights about this (which could be a good diversion from thinking about the main birth!) so really appreciate your advice xx