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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Overdue and desperate for reassurance - long sorry

19 replies

elbarto · 21/08/2007 11:36

I am 7 days overdue and was supposed to be having a sweep today at the hospital (midwife at surgery has no appointments till mid september but wants me to have sweep before going straight to induction). Trying to organise sweep at hospital has been a nightmare, have had to call 4 or 5 times since my due date explaining each time my circumstances and that my gp based midwife has asked me to call - cue much tutting and comments about how:

a) I am being demanding (I don't even want to bother the hospital with this, I want to go to the surgery but they can't see me aargh!)
b) how dare this cheeky, and obviously lazy, midwife assume that they will give me a sweep, who does she think she is?

and c) can I call surgery and make SURE she can't see me (I know she can't see me thats why she has asked me to ring the hospital!)

Have basically been told to go away till friday when they will just induce me on a drip... although reading between the lines I got the impression that they were already wondering if they could get away with telling me to naff off then as well.

I did call the surgery to explain that hospital can't see me and would it be possible for midwife to squeeze me onto the end of her shift, to now be told that no she can't I need to ring hospital.

What do I do? I really really don't want to go straight to chemical induction just because it suits them. I would like my baby to have a least a chance of being "encouraged" out rather than forced with drugs. Can independent midwives do a sweep? And are there any about in South Herts?

Well done if you have got this far by the way. I am very and feel very alone.

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MillieMummy · 21/08/2007 11:38

Try to talk to someone more senior at the surgery - can you talk to your GP (or can your partner - you shouldn't be put through stress this late in pregnancy). Of course you should be able to have a sweep prior to chemical intervention.

pinkrangerstartstowaddle · 21/08/2007 11:40

I cant believe this by your midwife [shock[ when was the last time she see you? She should be seeing you weekly at this stage anyway ??
I am 40 wks tomorrow and my midwife is coming round to MY HOUSE when her clinic is finished ( so about 6.30pm) to do a sweep! ( i am suffering spd , swelling and more) - Do you have a community midwife team and you can maybe speak to someone different ? I really do feel for you!

gringottsgoblin · 21/08/2007 11:42

stamp your foot and tell them you refuse to be induced before having a sweep. whether or not you plan to do it. but you have to be convincing. they will want to induce you, so will give you a sweep. at least thats how it has worked for me in the past. call hospital, leave a message and say if someone is prepared to do it call you back. good luck and remember your baby will be here very very soon i know how much the last few weeks drag

fluffyanimal · 21/08/2007 11:43

Sorry you are having a hard time elbarto. I don't know how to sort out the situation with the hospital / midwife, but personally if it were me I would NOT want a sweep. Is this your first? I found that I hated all the internal examinations (v. uncomfortable) and the thought of a sweep gives me the shivers. I refused one when I was offered. FWIW, my baby was induced with the prostin gel inserted into my vagina (sorry if TMI). It worked really quickly and I had a short labour. Don't think of induction as your baby being forced out with drugs - they use hormones that would otherwise be present naturally. An induction is not so bad really, just think of it as helping you on the way to meeting your lovely new baby!

Hope this helps you feel more positive - I know it is a scary situation but all will be fine I'm sure.

Original poster

elbarto · 21/08/2007 11:47

Have tried that milliemummy, she said that no doctors at surgery would be willing to see me either. when I asked if I could just come in and see anyone (was desperate and almost in tears at this point) she said that no I would have to call the hospital. when I asked if I could just make a normal appointment for tomorrow she repeated the same thing, but added that I could come in on Saturday (not very helpful as that is the day AFTER I am supposed to have horrid induction I want to avoid)

Partner not very good at dealing with doctors so out of the question, even though his own dad was a gp

OP posts:

Original poster

elbarto · 21/08/2007 11:54

gringotts goblin - am a bit nervous at being foot stampy as don't want to piss anyone off who may be involved in the birth!

to be honest I have had to fight all the way through, I asked politely if I could change hospitals at 10 weeks and was treated like a pain in the ass then as well. and even though with anything else I am more than happy to create a fuss I am exceedingly meek when dealing with the medical profession!

OP posts:

leesmum · 21/08/2007 11:57

elbarto, can't believe you are being treated in such a disgusting way.

Have you got a number to get you right through to the midwifes local radio room, you should have been given one in case of emergencies,tell them what has happened and see if one of the on-call midwifes can pop in to see you, just for a chat and to put your mind at ease.

You can do without all the hassle, Take care and good luck when baby finally arrives x

ejt1764 · 21/08/2007 11:58

If you do not want to be induced, then you don't have to be ... you are not overdue until you reach 42 weeks anyway!

Don't allow yourself to be bullied!

And as for the mw, phone your local Midwife led unit, explain the situation, and ask for a home visit - start mentioning complaints to the Supervisor of Midwives for the lack of care you are receiving, and you should get somewhere...

However, having said that, a sweep will only work if things are starting to move anyway!

Good luck!

Original poster

elbarto · 21/08/2007 11:59

pink ranger - next time I have a baby I am moving to your area

OP posts:

MrsScavo · 21/08/2007 12:04

elbarto, sadly it's a fact that to get the birth you want you need to foot stamp and be stroppy, now and when your are in labour. Unfortunately I have learned this through experience.

It's awful that that no midwife is able to come to your house to do a sweep. Dont' you have a community midwife team you can phone? (sorry if this has already been discussed)

I really feel for you, as mine were born 12, 11 & 11 days over due (and the sweep didn't work for me)Good luck!

MrsScavo · 21/08/2007 12:05

Oh, adn I refused to be induced with my 3rd.... adn I went into labour naturally the next day

Original poster

elbarto · 21/08/2007 12:08

I suppose I am just nervous that she (baby) will be in there too long, and something bad will happen to her. I have never had an internal either throughout the whole 9 months, and am now wondering if maybe she just can't come out

I know that is highly unlikely by the way but my mind is going into overdrive!

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Original poster

elbarto · 21/08/2007 12:10

MrsScavo - no idea about community midwife team, has never been mentioned. highly unlikely they would have one considering they also don't offer antenatal classes or more than one scan round these parts either

OP posts:

pinkrangerstartstowaddle · 21/08/2007 12:28

ring doctors ask for the community midwifes number, they should have these as they come out when baby is born, Dont be worried about a sweep either, it is the most natural way to induced labour! i do hope you get some joy!

ejt1764 · 21/08/2007 13:24

There must be a community midwives team - your midwife is a member of it!

It's also entirely normal for you not to have any internals during the pregnancy if all goes well ... and as for it coming out - well it got in, didn't it?

If you don't want to be induced, you can have something called expectant management - but they don't usually start that until after 42 weeks ... they will then do scans / check ups every couple of days just to make sure that the baby is ok and that you have enough fluid.

Just to say, you don't have to be induced if you don't want to be ... and if you do go in for an induction just because you are post dates, you may be messed about as they induce women who have a proper medical reason to be induced (baby not growing properly / pre-eclampsia etc.)

Have faith in your body ... you will not be pregnant for the rest of you life!

... my 1st baby was born at 40 + 16 ....

MrsScavo · 21/08/2007 16:17

No ante natal classes?

Which area are you in?

diddle · 21/08/2007 16:33

I am amazed at your midwifery service.

If it were me, i would be at the doctors right now sitting in the waiting room, until someone saw me.

This is your pregnancy and your baby and they should be doing what you ask, not the other way around.!

I really hope you manage to get you sweep. I had 3 with my first baby and unfortunately it did nothing. He wouldn't budge, so we went for inductionm, which also failed. he was just too comfy. finally arrived via c-section 14 days late. But he was worth every extra minute.

Original poster

elbarto · 22/08/2007 12:38

hello all!

found another thread on mumsnet regarding sweeps yesterday afternoon, and reading all the stories about other mums being given sweeps on due dates etc made me realise that actually, why the hell am I being made to wait to suit them!

was suddenly filled with rage, so called hospital and demanded to come in - and thy backed down and let me!!!!

so I had it, it wasnt very pleasant but midwife was lovely, and now I am sitting here in the early stages of labour!

Hooray!!! and thanks to all of you for your support

OP posts:

MrsScavo · 22/08/2007 14:24

Let us know how it goes!

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