Stretch and sweep at 37wks...

[mumandcub]

I’ve had 4 episodes of reduced movements with this pregnancy (dc2) and because of this, the consultant has asked for a stretch and sweep to be done at 37wks which is in a few days time. I never had this with dc1 so first of all...has anyone else had this at 37wks and found anything actually happened?
They have said if that fails, they’ll induce. I’m ok with this as dc1 was induction at 37wks as I was a GDM. Luckily I’m not this time. BUT...can you have a water birth if induced due to reduced movements? I did ask the midwife today, she said she wasn’t too sure but they would give me the ‘new’ induction (begins with a d..) to give me the best chance to not have the drip. I didn’t need the drip last time thankfully and I had a speedy labour of under an hour so fingers crossed.
Thanks I’m advance 😊

I think you can if you don't have to have an epidural or go on a drip

I was induced because of pre-eclampsia but told I couldn't have a water birth because of the drip but also because they needed to keep all the monitors on me (baby heart rate etc) so I think it probably depends on how much monitoring you need throughout the birth and whether you end up on a drip. Good luck, I was also induced at 37 weeks x

I spoke with my consultant about this because I’m booked in for an induction but I’m desperate for a waterbirth. I was induced with DC2 and didn’t need the hormone drip, I was given the initial pessary and went into full blown labour within a few hours. I opted for an epidural (which didn’t work as it was put in the wrong place but that’s another story) so I couldn’t have a water birth due to that. My consultant said this time if the pessary makes me go into labour I can have a water birth, it would only be when going on the drip that it wouldn’t be an option. I think this also depends on whether upon monitoring both you and baby are fine etc.

Good luck!

I can't comment on the water birth question as I'm not entirely sure. Especially if you'd be on a drip as you're hooked up to the machine constantly.

As for the stretch and sweep, I've had 6 stretch and sweeps in my previous pregnancies and none have ever worked.

I think it depends on the hospital/trust policy and availability.
I was induced at just short of 42 weeks. Had the 1st pessary worked, I would have been low risk and could have had delivered on the MW led unit. As I needed a 2nd, I had to deliver on the delivery unit as high-risk. Both units have a single birthing pool each so its luck of the draw. As it happened the room was in use and I was strapped to a monitor anyway.x