40+6 advice needed!

[ejmay90]

So currently 40+6 and decided not to have a sweep at my 40 week appointment as wanted everything to start naturally.
I had my 41 week appointment yesterday and opted for a sweep as I really dont want an induction and would prefer as little intervention as possible, this is less than an induction so opted for this instead.
Now my midwife has had to book my induction for Wednesday 13th as I'll be 40+12 then, but she has said they may bring it forward to monday 11th or Tuesday 12th.

I really dont want an induction, I'm a ftm and do really want this to be as natural as possible and my partner there. Midwife said if I'm in hospital for 24 hours for induction it will be alone.

My question is should I ask for another sweep before the induction to see if it starts anything?
Really dont think yesterdays sweep did anything as she said my cervix is soft which is good but she couldn't do a very good sweep as it's still at the back.
I know sweeps aren't proven to work and if I go into labour it's because I was ready to anyway but is it worth it?

Any advice welcome.

P.s I'm doing the walking a day (have a dog), hot foods, sex, birthing ball ect to get things going but nothing is working!

I refused induction and had an ELCS instead (midwives agreed it was the right option) and I'm so glad I did as at 41+2 DD was 10lb 13oz and so big she got stuck in my pelvis and had to be hauled out with forceps even as a section! I personally wouldn't have wanted to go much longer and wouldn't in future either as although I wasn't uncomfortable at all (I loved being pregnant) my placenta was quite degraded by then.

I had a sweep with my first at 40+5 when they started talking induction. Contractions started early the next morning. Number 2 came without help at 39+3. Then with my third, I somehow got talked into booking an induction for when I was 39+4 (purely based on age, baby looked great at my scan). I went to my MW for a sweep 39+3 (day before induction was due) and he came that night.
So sweeps seemed to do the trick for me. I'd talked to my MW and was intending to cancel the induction. Like you, I was worried about messing people around but I was also annoyed at how the consultant had gone about booking the induction.

I was induced twice with both of my babies..with first baby I was induced at 41+3 after 3 sweeps which has done nothing for me..yes I had to use all drugs available and help of ventouse but my lo was born alive and healthy and that's all what matters..
Second time around I was induced at 39 weeks due to reduced movements..my lo was born much quicker after that with gas and air only, as from the point my waters were broken at 4cm I was fully dilated in next 20 mins and he was born..again thankfully healthy..
Sometimes we plan and it just doesn't go that way..I planned for drug free birth the first time around..second time I made no plans..
What I am trying to say is that I would ask for another sweep but if you end up being induced it's ok and it will be ok..
Natural start of birth is not guarantee you will not end up with emcs, or interventions..induction can be a pleasant experience..
For comparison my first lo born at 41+5 was 9'10', second born at 39+1 was 7'3'
Wish you the best of luck x

Hi OP,

I have a DS who was born at 41+4 after I went into labour naturally. Like you I was very keen to avoid an induction if possible. I had a sweep at 41 weeks but found it painful during and afterwards so I declined further sweeps. It did nothing. I had acupuncture at 41+2, I don't suppose that's an option atm, although some might be seeing clients and taking precautions with PPE, cleaning etc, it's probably unlikely. Not sure if the acupuncture did anything but I think it helped me to stay calm and feel physically ready. At 41+3 I had sex and then labour started within hours. It progressed reasonably quickly so I didn't need any interventions (except that they wanted to monitor me because of meconium in the waters).

I don't remember the midwives pushing induction, particularly, but perhaps that's because I was clear that I didn't want one unless absolutely necessary. I think that if I'd got to 42 weeks, I would have found it hard to decline an induction at that point. But some women are comfortable waiting beyond 42 weeks. Your body, your choice!

It sounds as if the midwife has been telling you what's going to happen when she should have been simply advising and asking you what you want. If you don't want to bring it forward, don't agree to it. If she books without your consent, you could call later to cancel or just not turn up. (I'm not advocating this, just that it's a last resort option if you haven't been listened to up to that point.)

If you are considering an induction, you could ask them to assess your bishop's score and consider the likelihood of things progressing with minimal intervention or needing lots of intervention.

PS My DS (born at 41+4) was 9lb4, big but not huge!

What is the reason for bringing the induction forward? Something a midwife said to me which was helpful was you can book the induction and then if you want to you can ring in the morning (or night before) and say you won't be coming. I would want to know their reasoning for potentially moving to Monday. If they are worried about your baby directly, that is quite different to doing it due to procedure or bed space available.

Oh and my 41+1 babies were 8lb2 and 9lb5. They were surprised by the 9lb5 and but his size wasn't a problem for me in the birth. My friend at 42+1 had an 8 1/2 lb baby. So larger babies, but not worryingly so.

@peachgreen oh really! It does worry me that he is going to end up big if I leave it and refuse an induction.

@Verysurprised I wish mine had gone like yours, I'm now 41 weeks and had sweep at 40+5 and still nothing :(
I'm going to call the midwife and discuss this whole induction thing today and another sweep. Hopefully they can send someone out over the weekend.

@onedream that's all that I care about that he is healthy but I also want to control my birth too so if they tell me I need one I will of course agree. They said they will do extra scans ect to make sure he's ok. Definitely going to have another sweep and if not will go with what I have to have.

@NameChange30 thank you! I really hope I go naturally in the next few days as I'm now 41 weeks today!
The sweep was uncomfortable but not painful so I'm happy to try another even if it doesnt work.

I doubt anywhere is open to do acupuncture at the moment which is a shame :(
We did have sex at yesterday but still nothing seems to have worked.
In my body and self I am completely comfortable, no issues but will definitely have another scan but I dont know how I'll feel at 42 weeks as I would start to worry that baby is ok.
My midwife did know I didn't want one but I think booked it in just because I'm getting close. Now she is off until 15th so will need to speak to a community midwife today.
What's the bishops score? Is that the same as what they score when they do a sweep?
I do worry he will be big if I leave him cooking too long!

@BendingSpoons I have no idea why she's said about bringing it forward. I have had a textbook pregnancy and no issues at any scans.
I would say it's due to hospital availability, she just messaged and said its booked for 13th but keep phone on as may be brought to monday or Tuesday. So I need to speak to community midwife today to find out why really.
Oh that's good to know, hoping he won't be too large but guess I wont know until the birth!

I was 41+3 with my first, labour started 10 hours after a second sweep, and baby arrived 13 hours after that - 8lb8. For my second I was induced on 42+1, having refused earlier inductions and sweeps ---- labour and delivery were absolutely fine and baby was smaller than my first. I've accepted I have really long pregnancies! My cycles are long too - I don't know if that makes a difference. I was nervous about induction, but while it was intense it wasn't awful and ended up being quick - I don't know if that was because it was my second delivery, or whether by that late stage everything was ready anyway and induction kicked things off.

It's so hard when we can't really control this huge thing that's about to happen to us. As my second was so late I was doing everything to get things started (apart from sweeps)... Nothing worked apart from the induction. But it was fine in the end.

Try not to worry too much op. Have sex and cuddle with your partner a lot that may help.

I went into labour at 40+7 and he was born at 40+8 on the Sunday (my induction was booked for the Monday). I never had a sweep.

Oh and he was 8lbs12oz

@freezerdinnersc oh that's positive! I called the community midwife and she is calling me back today to arrange a second sweep so fingers crossed that kick starts it.
I'm just really not wanting one as I have to be alone and in hospital for 24 hours. I may feel differently if my other half could be there, but will have one if needed.

@AndMyHairWillShineLikeTheSea we had sex yesterday but nothing yet, doesnt help I've been up since 4am with heartburn and it's made me feel sick so now feeling tired and so not in the mood. Typical really as not had heartburn at all throughout my pregnancy.
Hoping it starts over the weekend!

@ejmay90 Get into bed for a nap if you can. Lie on your left side, it helps with heartburn. It won't be long. I know it's hard xx

Have you read up on sweeps and success rates?
I wouldn't be in a huge rush to have lots of them, and that's not just because of my experience (painful and didn't work). Sweeps are still an intervention albeit a small one.

Just been told I can't have another sweep because of Corona :(
As I had my 41 week appointment which is essential but a sweep is now not essential after 41 weeks so they wont do it!
Sit and wait game it seems now!

How's it going, any signs ?

I was reluctant to have a sweep too early as I literally had had no signs of labour so declined until I was 40+9, I had pains on and off for about 12 hours prior to my sweep and actually I was 2-3cm when I had my sweep! I knew my body wasn’t ready before, I went into labour a few hours later! I tried everything prior to that but you literally will go into labour when your bodies ready, the sweep just helped me along, but my body had already started doing it itself if that makes sense! I literally didn’t have a single pain up until that point, have faith in your body😊

I am looking forward to an update also good luck @ejmay90 hopefully it happens soon

DD was born 40+12 after I was induced. I had the pessary around 4 pm and woke up with the first contractions around 2am, my waters broke shortly after. I was put on the drip shortly after and DD was born ( after Pethidine and an epidural ) at 7.44 pm. I had no interventions such as forceps etc but we were getting close as I was pushing for a long time and was exhausted. The epidural didn't help much. DD was 7lb 11 Oz. I needed one stitch ( not sure why they bothered ), overall recovery was relatively quick having spoken to others. I had zero signs of labour starting on its own and tried all the old wives tales.

DS two years later was born on his due date again I had to be induced. I was induced at 39+6 as he was measuring big and the consultant didn't recommended letting the pregnancy go over due. I had the balloon catheter this time. I went in at midday, had some monitoring and it was inserted. I was went home and told to call if it came out or it got to 24 hours without change. I got home about 3 and when I started to run a bath for DD at about 6 it came out. I had my waters broken when I went into hospital and was put on the drip. DS was born at midday, 9lb 4oz. I had a fantastic epidural, brilliant midwife ( and student), the whole process was calm. No stitches and I barely felt like I'd had a baby when I got home the same evening.

I had 3 sweeps prior to both births which didn't do much. With DD I declined until 41 weeks as I felt it was too early.

Neither time did I do a birth plan as I didn't want to have a ' perfect birth' idea in my head. I have two healthy children which ultimately is what matters most.

I appreciate things are different with Corona and I'm sure it must be very stressful but remember the midwives and other staff are there to help.

@VictoriaBun @delbelleber unfortunately no change yet, I'm now 41+3!!
I did however call the highest midwife in the community team who has booked me in for another sweep tomorrow, even though I was told I couldn't have a 2nd.
I've had the odd on and off very dull ache period type pain and bottom of back pain but literally like 3 of them over the last 3 days. I have no idea if these are contractions or not?
So hoping this 2nd sweep tomorrow may get something moving!
Thank you :)

@SmileyCloud that's exactly how I feel, my body just feels completely normal so I know nothing had changed but it was worth a go. Since then I think I've had a few contractions but literally like 1 a day for Last 3 days. Not sure if they are or not as very minor. So hoping the 2nd sweep tomorrow gets things moving and I'm told I'm a few cm dilated!
Like you no pain at all apart from the horrible fanny daggers. Hope my story is a positive as yours!

Ugh so frustrating waiting for labour to begin. My 1st dc was born at 41+3! It won't be long now

It’s absolutely soul destroying and I nearly threw my phone in the bin on day 9 of ‘any baby yet?’ messages! I didn’t really feel fed up until 41 weeks then I just cried for a bit, my pelvis felt like it was going to snap and I just thought she was never coming out! Then suddenly little pains which were manageable and then a sweep, the best part of it was I wasn’t in early labour for ages day or repeatedly sent home from the hospital! It will happen😊

Following without any advice OP - I had a ELCS due to breech for first baby and currently 35 weeks with second. I just wanted to say good luck and hope things get moving for you soon!

@Elmo230885 thank you for your story. My hospital does the balloon but they said I cant go home when it's been inserted which I'm not sure why? Maybe because it's my first, im not sure.
I think I would find the induction fine if my partner could be there and me not be in hospital for 24 hours by myself. Our midwives are great and I've only heard great things during Corona but I really don't want to be alone. I also had hoped not to have an epidural and heard the pains much worse if your induced as the pain is ramped up quicker rather than having natural contractions which get progressively worse.