38 weeks pregnant - stretch & sweep

donewithbeingpreg · 2021-07-08T18:26:28+00:00

Hi 👋 I'm 36 weeks pregnant and have just had a growth scan. They told me I can be induced at 40 weeks, but I want to go into labour naturally so that I can go to my chosen birth centre. I asked about sweeps, and she told me I should be able to book at sweep for 38-39 weeks. The pain I'm in is intense and baby is really low down. But I haven't had a physical check yet. My midwife won't answer the phone, so I am struggling to book one. My question is, how successful were your sweeps at 38 weeks?? My first son I had a sweep and went into labour the same day. Hoping it will work this time round too. 🙏

India999 · 08/07/2021 19:52

My hospital refused to do a sweep until 41 weeks. You're very lucky if they're happy to do it that early!

Original poster

donewithbeingpreg · 08/07/2021 19:57

I was surprised when she said that, but I think it does depend on how well baby is doing too. Are you uk?

OP posts:

Vie8126 · 08/07/2021 20:00

I'm being induced on my due date and have a sweep booked for 20th July when I will be 38 +3 I'm hopeful it will work but was told it can be repeated at 39 +3 if it don't. Hoping you get some positive stories but I imagine it depends how favourable you are when they do the sweep. I've been having intense braxton hicks/period cramp pain etc so I'm hoping that things are going to look good come 20th july!! (well I'm hoping to have had him by then if I'm hoping for things but that's doubtful!) I have read that some times at a sweep they can't reach your cervix so are unable to actually complete it as its too far back still fingers crossed this isn't the case for either of us!

Original poster

donewithbeingpreg · 08/07/2021 20:03

@Vie8126

I'm being induced on my due date and have a sweep booked for 20th July when I will be 38 +3 I'm hopeful it will work but was told it can be repeated at 39 +3 if it don't. Hoping you get some positive stories but I imagine it depends how favourable you are when they do the sweep. I've been having intense braxton hicks/period cramp pain etc so I'm hoping that things are going to look good come 20th july!! (well I'm hoping to have had him by then if I'm hoping for things but that's doubtful!) I have read that some times at a sweep they can't reach your cervix so are unable to actually complete it as its too far back still fingers crossed this isn't the case for either of us!

Similar symptoms here! I've had backache, cramps, lightning crotch, stomach ache, the lot! She did say baby has dropped really low that she struggled to get his head on the scan. Hoping that it's a sign he's engaging and my cervix is softer and lower! Hopefully for you also!

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Vie8126 · 09/07/2021 06:19

@donewithbeingpreg yes at my last midwife app she said his head was engaged so the pressure and pain has been immense. I actually thought it might be labour yest as the cramp pain under bump was so intense and coming and going but then just went 😂 I have officially had enough of being pregnant now his on target to be a large baby weighing in at 6lb 11 (approx) a week ago today. I'm on mat leave now which is great as I'm not sleeping and had enough of work but I'm also bored and struggling to fill my day - there really is no pleasing me at the moment 😂😂

Original poster

donewithbeingpreg · 09/07/2021 07:14

@vie8126 oh goodness, my boy is weighing estimated 6lbs 14oz already at 36 weeks. My last boy was born 7lbs4oz at 40 weeks ahhggg. I hope he doesn't actually weigh that much when born

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Foxglovesandlilacs86 · 09/07/2021 07:43

I had a sweep at 38 weeks yesterday, baby is estimated to be 9lb 7 at due date so they said I could have one every week til due date then be induced on due date if I want (I’m hoping i don’t need to be tbh).

The sweep went well and I was favourable with a bishops score of 7 so even though I’m not feeling like I’m about to go into labour I do feel like it will happen at some point naturally before my due date.

Foxglovesandlilacs86 · 09/07/2021 07:45

There is a trial at our hospital atm where they are inducing on the due date if you have a baby 4kg or more, to see if it improves outcomes. It’s probably the same at a lot of hospitals.

Original poster

donewithbeingpreg · 09/07/2021 08:53

@Foxglovesandlilacs86

There is a trial at our hospital atm where they are inducing on the due date if you have a baby 4kg or more, to see if it improves outcomes. It’s probably the same at a lot of hospitals.

Oh really? The same has been offered to me. I really don't want to go over or be induced at 40 weeks, so I'm praying the sweep will work! My midwife got back to me and said she will do one at 38 weeks and 39 weeks if it didn't work first time. As long as its written in my notes that baby is safe enough to have it done, which baby is :D

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Vie8126 · 09/07/2021 09:18

@Foxglovesandlilaca86 that's interesting when they said at my scan I had GD markers and needed and urgent blood test I asked to speak to someone about baby's size. They completely dismissed my fears of a large baby and said under no circumstances would I be offered any interventions because he is large. Despite having a previous 9lb 7 baby by emergency c section (due to his size and mine and he was born in distress with a low agpar score) I obviously do not want a repeat and wanted to know what kind of monitoring I would get if it wasn't diabetes. The midwife they sent to speak to me jusy kept repeating slower and slower that no interventions are offered due to size, I've proven I can give birth by having had 2 vbacs already (with much Smaller babies and a lot of support/monitoring from ym then consultant) and I have a plan already due to advanced maternal age. I actually just wondered if they would look at why my average sized baby had a massive growth spurt and was in the space of 3 weeks suddenly measuring 3 weeks ahead of his time. I also want to mitigate issues at term if he is likely to be a 9lb baby and would rather plan elective surgery rather then have an unsafe delivery. Neither of which were understood and I have now been left with noone to discuss my worries with until my 38 week sweep. To say I have all hopes on that working is an understatement.

Foxglovesandlilacs86 · 09/07/2021 10:26

[quote Vie8126]@Foxglovesandlilaca86 that's interesting when they said at my scan I had GD markers and needed and urgent blood test I asked to speak to someone about baby's size. They completely dismissed my fears of a large baby and said under no circumstances would I be offered any interventions because he is large. Despite having a previous 9lb 7 baby by emergency c section (due to his size and mine and he was born in distress with a low agpar score) I obviously do not want a repeat and wanted to know what kind of monitoring I would get if it wasn't diabetes. The midwife they sent to speak to me jusy kept repeating slower and slower that no interventions are offered due to size, I've proven I can give birth by having had 2 vbacs already (with much Smaller babies and a lot of support/monitoring from ym then consultant) and I have a plan already due to advanced maternal age. I actually just wondered if they would look at why my average sized baby had a massive growth spurt and was in the space of 3 weeks suddenly measuring 3 weeks ahead of his time. I also want to mitigate issues at term if he is likely to be a 9lb baby and would rather plan elective surgery rather then have an unsafe delivery. Neither of which were understood and I have now been left with noone to discuss my worries with until my 38 week sweep. To say I have all hopes on that working is an understatement.[/quote]
This is my 8th baby and not the first time I’ve had a 9 pounder but the first time they’ve made a big deal about it so I think it just depends which hospital you’re at. There is a big sign in the ante natal unit about the trial they are doing with babies expected to be over 4kg being induced.

I would stick to your guns and keep trying to talk to someone, especially seeing as you’ve tried to have a big baby before and it ended in a c section.

feistymumma · 11/07/2021 15:33

I had a sweep yesterday afternoon at the hospital at 38+5 and it seems to be working. This morning had a show and also having contractions but really spaced out. Tomorrow I'm booked for an induction but they are going to start with rupture of membranes as opposed to pessary first. Hopefully see baby soon

feistymumma · 11/07/2021 15:35

Baby was 7.1lbs at 36 weeks so seems like I am having a whopper

whoknew23 · 11/07/2021 15:43

I was consultant led, and wasn't allowed much intervention ie forceps etc, also not allowed an epidural.

They never wanted me attempting to deliver over a certain weight , 4kg I think, and baby was already measuring large.

I had sweep at 38 weeks exactly , didn't do a thing.

That was on the Thursday, I was induced Saturday and emcs on Monday .

Baby was over 10lb 🤦‍♀️ He was measuring at about 8lb at 36 weeks .