Should I push for induction?

[MissBax]

Obviously I will listen to doctors advice, but just wondered if anyone had been in a similar position.

Had a sweep at 40 weeks yesterday. I was quite anxious prior to it being performed due to a traumatic internal investigation I had last year. Anyway, I was pleased that I got through it and it wasn't too unpleasant (although the midwife was quite rigorous).
Had some slight spotting directly after which was my bloody show, but around 5 hours after the sweep started passing a lot of blood and clots. Came into the hospital to be monitored and was told to stay in overnight and they would like to induce me.
Over night I've had mixed messages and now have been told that if the bleeding stops (which is seems to have done overnight) I will most likely be sent home to carry on as normal.
The thing is, they were very keen to induce me yesterday and although I wasn't initially keen on the idea, I had accepted it and actually got very excited at the thought of finally meeting our DD! I'm also concerned about the fact I was bleeding anyway - they couldn't seem to identify the source, although they're sure it wasn't from baby. I also feel very very tender this morning (possibly a bit of bruising from the sweep and internal exam when I was admitted). I'm also pretty sure if I go home I won't be able to relax at all as I'm full term, was dilated 2cm yesterday, her head is fully engaged and cervix soft and "favourable".

So the doctors will be coming on their ward round in a few hours and I was just hoping someone could give me some advice about what questions I should probably ask - I can never think on the spot and then later on think "I should have asked x,y & z".

Has anyone had a similar experience? Would it make sense to ask for induction as I'm already here and full term? Is it normal to feel bruised internally after sweep?

Thanks all!

Personally I would try to avoid an induction. If you are already 2cm, maybe they feel spontaneous labour is likely soon anyway.

I would certainly push to find out why they were so keen on an induction yesterday though but not now. Let them know your in discomfort too.

Good luck, sounds like you'll be meeting your baby very soon either way.

No. Absolutely no need for an induction if there is no medical need for it. Reaching your due date and being impatient to meet your baby is not a good reason.

Personally I would have declined a sweep in your position. I had one at 41 weeks, it was painful and I felt very sore afterwards, and it didn't induce labour. I think there is little to no evidence that they work. I declined any more after that.

My labour started naturally at 40+11 and DS was born the same day.

Why not give it another week or so and then see how you feel?

In some countries they count 41 weeks as full term so the due date is a week later.

Reaching your due date and being impatient to meet your baby is not a good reason. - and it's not my reason really - my main concern is their keeness to induce and also the amount of blood passed!

Thanks Clare - yes, I'll certainly be asking why they were so keen to induce yesterday and now seem to not be. I think it's the mixed messages that have worried me as the registrar I saw was adamant that they would keep me to induce due to the loss of clots.

Obviously if they say it's totally fine to go then they know best and thats fine, it's just difficult when feeling so anxious!

Agreed with NameChange. Majority of women have baby around 41 weeks. Normal human gestation is anywhere between 38-42 weeks so you're not technically overdue until after 42 weeks. I can't believe they've brought offering stretch and sweep forward to 40 weeks (in my area at least) no wonder so many get anxious when their "guess date" has been and gone!

In my third labour I bled an alarming amount. I understand sometimes the cervix bleeds upon dilation.
M

mamma - I know! I really wasn't bothered about having the sweep either but midwife told me that it'd be the best way to avoid induction! Obviously now it may have actually contributed significantly to me needing to have an induction!

@MissBax sounds positive you were already 2cm though - massive FX for you everything starts naturally soon!

Inductions are frequently grim (I've had two). Avoid it unless it is medically recommended.

I understand your concern and I would be asking lots of questions about what the concern was over he bleeding and why not it's not a concern. I would specifically focus on what it means now the bleeding has stopped and what I should be looking out for.

I was induced with my second at 42+1 after 3 failed sweeps. I was lucky that to be induced I only needed my waters breaking and so start to finish was just a few hours but for some people it can last days.

Honestly in your shoes if there was no medical reason and you had confidence in their explanations then I would be thrilled to go home.

My only concern would be that they were putting me off because they didn't have space for me. Obviously they wouldn't do that if there was a major risk but I would be worried about them letting space sway their decisions. This happened to me with both of my labours so I speak from experience. I had to be assertive and confident in my dialogue with them.