failed stretch and sweep

[vixey]

I had a failed stretch and sweep yesterday. basically my consultant said my cervix is too high and far too tightly closed for him to do anything with. however the process of him finding this out was so incredibly painful it honestly felt like he was ripping my insides out of me, I was screaming and crying. he then said it was more painful because of how high my cervix is.
because of medical issues I'm being induced on Sunday. I've never been so scared of anything. I wasn't scared of labour, or being induced, until now. but that was so unbelievably painful that I'm so scared I'm not going to be able to cope with labour or all the examinations that come with having an induction. I cant wait to meet my baby boy, but im so scared too. xxxxx

That sounds really distressing 😕 if you're really worried about it then I'd ask for a C-Section. I had one and it was very chilled out. 😊

If your cervix isn't favourable its likely that the induction will be a long and very tiring process.. think 4 or 5 days stuck on antenatal ward being poked and prodded. I'd ask for induction to be postponed, or if its absolutely necessary to get baby out then ask for a planned section.

c section is my absolute worst nightmare, but ive got to get baby out soon because of my health problems. he's at risk of serious health problems if I put off the induction.

my consultant also didn't want to do a section unless emergency because I don't heal very well, im allergic to alot of medication. it's got to be an absolute last resort, emergency situation kind of thing.

I had induction with my first with a cervix that wasn't interested, we got there in the end (long story short) but it did take a while. I'll spare the details but put it Thai way, I'm going in for another one on Friday and I'm not too worried so hopefully you can take from that that it's no fun but I've not felt the need to ask for a CS.

However the main thing I wanted to say was you CAN have gas and air for any internal examination, sweep, pessary or whatever. I found them awful (although had a sweep with midwife last week which was uncomfortable but okay, so it does depend).

I only found that out when a HCA heard me and partner talking about it when I was upset after one, after I found that out and used the gas and air it was honestly absolutely fine, I had three pessaries and exams in the end and it was only the first couple, without the G&A, that were a problem. You will most likely have to ask rather than have it offered though.

@8dpowoah
thank you for some positivity. I've basically been given no choice but to have this induction, but it scares me that the sweep was so much more painful than I expected, thank you for being more positive about this. xxx

The other thing to think about how you feel is, I said no drip without an epidural and it was bloody brilliant. They put it in before I was in any pain so easy for the anaesthetist to get right, and we let it die right down at pushing so I could feel the pressure to push. I can remember everything about the first hours after she was born and even though had forceps and episiotomy (because she needed a slight turn) my recovery was fine.

I took bloody ages to get to 2cm for getting waters broken though so take plenty of entertainment and snacks for yourself but, honestly, just the G&A for exams and the epidural for the drip made all the difference for me.

I'm told you don't have to go straight on the drip either so I'm going to ask for a delay after they do my waters if possible this time. We will be in at around the same time I think so keep the thread updated!

I have to go every few days for monitoring so I'm back in on Friday for monitoring so I'm making a list of questions about the process and the pain relief options. I just want baby here now :) xxx

I had a failed sweep and was due to be induced but went naturally the night before. I found the sweep horrible too but when it came down to actual labour, I was so in the zone that I managaed okay.

Remember they can offer pain relief to you and you will handle it!! You will be holding your baby soon xxx

I think some people are just a little rougher than others. I generally find sweeps and VEs fine, but one of the midwives giving me a VE was so rough, it felt like her nails were scratching my insides and it was quite painful! The following day I had a midwife trying to break my waters with a hook while another was pushing down on my stomach, they kept offering G&A, I said it felt like they were tickling me in comparison to the VE I'd had the night before just checking how dilated I was.
Agree with pp, just remember you can refuse further intervention until you are happy with the pain relief you have. I've had two positive inductions which required the drip and would happily repeat.

I also cried at my sweep op.
I was induced, I found them inserting pessaries fine, they had to break my water which made me cry again and I thought fuck what am I going to do now.
Was put on the drip and I asked for an epidural straight away and I was absolutely fine.
Once you know the ball is rolling and you'll soon meet your baby your in the zone!
It hasn't put me off if I have another in the future.

Definitely ask questions on Friday, but don't assume that your induction will be horribly painful - having a pessary inserted is nothing like an attempted sweep.
Most of all, tell the staff how you are feeling - let them know your worries and concerns.
I hope all goes well for you.

I didn't get a sweep before my induction. I was only 37 weeks and FTM, so I guess they figured it was going to be completely closed. Which it was when it came to put the gels in.

As others have said, gas and air should be available to you for every procedure. Insertion of pessaries it probably shouldn't be needed (I found it mildly uncomfortable at worst), but for any further sweeps, breaking waters etc. insist on it. Up to you how you want to handle pain relief if you get to the drip. Only you know you and your pain tolerance.

Honestly though, I found my induction was fine, even though I was starting with a Bishop score of 0. Baby born within 33 hours from first pessary. Drip was needed to start labour, but while painful, I'd go through it all again.

Hope everything goes well for you.

thank you everyone for your replies. I was quite concerned at first, thinking I shouldn't have asked on here, however everyone has made me feel much better about the induction, and how there isn't necessarily a link between the pain I felt at my sweep and the pain of labour.
I'm really trying to avoid an epidural, simply because I wanna be as active as possible because thats just me, but I also had a lumbar puncture a couple of years ago, which is different but similar, and I had loads of complications afterwards because my muscles went into spasm and I was really ill. my neurologist said he wouldn't do another one unless it was an emergency. tbh I'm open to all interventions, however there's a couple that me and my consultant want to avoid because of my ongoing medical issues (which were completely controlled and in remission until I got pregnant and had to come off meds and started carrying around 5lb+ of baby) however in the moment its gonna be all about weighing up the pros and cons I guess. I'm very lucky I have a fantastic team of midwives and my consultant is amazing. xxx