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Original poster

posterior unfavourable cervix

64 replies

Ladypug · 31/10/2015 19:41

Does anyone else have a posterior 'unfavourable' cervix? Did this mean you couldn't go into labour without induction and did it affect your birth at all? Midwife said this is why she can't perform successful sweeps and I'm very unlikely to go into labour naturally. Just wondered if this were always true for others or if anyone still went into labour last minute before induction with a posterior cervix?

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Gobbolinothewitchscat · 31/10/2015 19:57

Really?! So in the Middle Ages, if you had a posterior unfavourable cervix you were just pregnant for the rest of your life? Hmm

Are you overdue or is there another reason for the sweeps?

I'd discuss expectant management (with someone who knows what they're talking about rather than that particular midwife). I'd agree a date that it didn't seem sensible to go over and then I'd book an elective section

If you have an unfavourable cervix, then logically induction is pretty much doomed to fail. It's already a fairly difficult process as it's unnatural and your stuck on a bright, noisy ward (usually) until at least 4 cms with little privacy and very often no birth support overnight - pretty much everything you shouldn't do to encourage and establish labour. Then the likelihood is that you'll be carted off for a syntocin drip and an epidural whilst lying on your back. Forceps or an emergency section are then a real possibility.

I'm currently 38 weeks and expectant management with DC3 and elective section is my plan, if needs be. I will not be agreeing to induction unless I can have a private room and DH there for the whole thing. I would only agree to the gel pessaries and if they don't work, I'll have a section. The consultant I have seen estimates that around 85% of women he sees need the syntocin drip and about 50% of those then proceed to an instrumental or emergency section. I'd much rather have an elective section than go through all of that

Ridingthegravytrain · 31/10/2015 20:11

I had one. Sweeps were impossible. I went naturally at 8 days over

LumpySpaceCow · 31/10/2015 20:14

I've said it before and I'll say it again, your cervix isn't a crystal ball! It only tells you what is happening at that particular time!
It isn't really helpful her saying she probably won't go into labour - is she psychic? Your body has managed to pregnant, carry your baby to term so it should be able to go into labour and birth your baby Smile

LibrariesGaveUsP0wer · 31/10/2015 20:18

How far along are you?

With DC2 I had a failed sweep at 7 days over and a baby not much over 24 hours later.

I had a sweep with DC3 which was a teeny bit better (managed the sweep) and a baby by the morning.

Cervix will do what it wants. It has naff all to do with much.

Original poster
Ladypug · 31/10/2015 20:23

Ah should have said, 41 + 4, induction booked for next week and I would rather avoid it (mind you I figured a c section would be even worse!) just want as close to a natural birth as possible but don't have much hope now with only a few days left!

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Threeboysandus · 31/10/2015 20:25

Is this your first baby? No this doesn't mean you won't labour naturally. It just means that the cervix is not in labour now. Are you getting pains etc? Once the head starts to descend and pains start the cervix will come forward and start to efface and dilate. How many weeks are you?

Original poster
Ladypug · 31/10/2015 20:26

First baby, head is fully engaged and down low but cervix is behind it. I'm way past term now, running out of time :-(

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Original poster
Ladypug · 31/10/2015 20:26

I've had pains but nothing solid enough to be near labour

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LibrariesGaveUsP0wer · 31/10/2015 20:29

You are not post term though. Any time up to 42 weeks is term.

Original poster
Ladypug · 31/10/2015 20:31

Ah I see. Yeah but they have scheduled induction for 42 weeks which is only days away and I know I can refuse it but they have advised me not to due to size of baby

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LibrariesGaveUsP0wer · 31/10/2015 20:39

Yes. But I think it's quite important. You sound really despondent and I think it helps to tell yourself you are totally within normal and your chances of going into labour are actually going up every day.

If you are induced, likewise it helps to see that as an educated choice you've made. Not a failure. Smile

Gobbolinothewitchscat · 31/10/2015 20:40

The issue with induction is that a fairly large number end up with an emergency section. So, for me, the decision is between an emergency or an elective. I want neither but, on balance, I'd prefer an elective.

Can you speak to the consultant to find out what percentages of inductions at your hospital end up with sections and/or instrumental deliveries. That should help you make a decision.

Also, you don't have to do anything. Can you speak about risks if you went to say 40+12 rather than 40+10.

Frankly I think sweeps a waste of time. The royal College of obs & gynae are quite open about the fact that, understandably, you can't measure how well sweeps work as the person might have been about to go into labour anyway. I'm going to decline a sweep as there is evidence that it can lead to a slight increased risk of infection.

I'm no tree-hugger but I think the least messing about with sweeps and gels and drips etc the better. If I'm not going into labour and there is a genuine, evidenced base risk to either me or the baby, I'll have a section. But I'm not turning up with my bag at the labour ward at 40+10 just because someone tells me to

Qwertybynature · 31/10/2015 20:43

This won't really answer your question OP but you may find this interesting reading (role of the cervix in labour).

Gobbolinothewitchscat · 31/10/2015 20:45

How big do they say the baby is? Do you have gestational diabetes or any other indicators that might warrant induction or a section?

For what it's worth, I'd make an appointment to see the consultant at 40+10 to discuss all options (expectant management/csection or induction). Ignore the midwives. If you're worried about anything - lack of movement etc - get up to triage ASAP but I'd cancel anymore appointments for sweeps etc.

Try and relax as much as possible - easier said than done. I don't think midwives trying to stick their hands up your foof for sweeps and giving what sounds like weird, inaccurate advice are assisting with this process at all!

Threeboysandus · 31/10/2015 20:48

Ok, well it's not over until the fat lady sings! 50% of inductions end in section but that's not to say it will be you. If I were you I would try be as active as you can manage over next few days, climb the stairs sideways, walk, bounce on ball etc. and a bit of hanky panky if you can take it! I'd also google positive induction stories just to see that it is possible to have a positive induction x

Original poster
Ladypug · 31/10/2015 20:54

Thanks everyone, so it's still possible to go into labour naturally with a posterior unfavourable cervix? I definitely need the opinion of an OB. I had no idea so many inductions end in c section, just been reading a mix of (and not many positive at all) labour induction birth stories in my situation and they seem to have not been going great! I'm terrified. I don't do needles, cannulas, operations or drugs. I know I sound like a hippy but I just wanted a straightforward birth with gas and air - naive I know but I don't think I can handle it all going wrong like this!

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Original poster
Ladypug · 31/10/2015 20:56

Ps they don't know how big the baby is but they said it's not small and placenta won't be working to full capacity past the scheduled induction date. Helpful I know!

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Luckystar1 · 31/10/2015 21:06

It's not going wrong, don't worry! You can never plan your labour. I'm nearly sure my cervix was as yours the day before I went into labour - I should warn you I was in long, slow 'pre' labour (didn't feel very 'pre') for 48 hours, I think my cervix was dicking about.

But I had a water birth, very quickly at the end, with no pain relief (not even gas and air). Keep relaxed, and bounce on your ball!

Original poster
Ladypug · 31/10/2015 21:09

Thank you lucky :-)

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lougle · 31/10/2015 21:10

Mine was like that on the morning of my induction with DD1 (bishop score of 3 being regarded 'generous'!). My labour was 4 hours after just one round of prostin pessary.

Luckystar1 · 31/10/2015 21:15

Also, assuming this is your 1st baby, I know you are impatient, but SERIOUSLY, enjoy these last few days of freedom, you have no idea how much your life is to be turned upside down, in both the loveliest and less loveliest ways imaginable.

Sorry I know you didn't ask, I just wish I'd enjoyed mine more, or recognised them for what they were!

Original poster
Ladypug · 31/10/2015 21:17

Thanks lucky it is my first but I'm in so much pain, I can barely stand now :-(

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Original poster
Ladypug · 31/10/2015 21:17

Oh thanks lougle! That's so reasurring

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Luckystar1 · 31/10/2015 21:23

I know, it's hard at the end. Even just relaxing on the sofa watching cheap to with a drink. Relish it!

My SPD is still here 12 months post partum and it developed at 13 weeks pregnant so I do feel your pain!

Original poster
Ladypug · 31/10/2015 21:30

Oh god! I just thought the spd would go when baby was out!

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