3rd failed sweep at 41wks- starting to worry

[Emarosa]

Hi everyone,

We’re 41 weeks with our first baby today and are so lucky to have had a really smooth pregnancy so far.

However… I’ve just come home after my third sweep, which they still weren’t able to complete because my cervix was only half open and not central. It feels like nothing has really progressed since my last sweep 6 days ago. We need to decide what to do if baby doesn’t come naturally. The default was to book an induction in, but I’ve indicated that I’d like to have more information about an ELCS too. We’re speaking to a consultant tomorrow but I really don’t know what choice to make.

Has anyone else reached 41wks with a closed cervix? How did you approach making a decision on next steps?

I was feeling so ready for labour and baby’s arrival, but the longer it goes on the more anxious I’m feeling.

I refused induction and waited I did go into labour it was a very long labour ending in an emcs due to said child being too big to exit!
I wouldn’t have an induction for being overdue and I’m glad I didn’t. I did have to have some extra scans and go in for monitoring. At no point were they concerned about the baby before I was in hospital in labour. Baby did end up in slight distress when they put me on the drip to speed things up, it didn’t work and would have left me longer if DP hadn’t demanded an emcs.
Second baby was a bit early and an unplanned vbac, totally straightforward labour just needed an episiotomy but nothing else at the end.
First baby born at 42+2 second at 38+2.

Babies come when they are ready or when you/your medical team decide to intervene. I have 2 and both times labour was no where near happening at 41 weeks. I opted for inductions each time (booked in for 40+13) but then my body decided to kick labour off the night before and both babies were born close to 2 weeks over due. I know it’s frustrating though!

The risk of still birth is real, check stats and how risk increases the longer the pregnancy. I know a woman who had this at 40 weeks pregnant, with no sign of anything being wrong. I would be very afraid to wait until 42 weeks.

that said it’s your choice.

an induction when the body is not ready might be painful. That was my case, it was horrible. I was induced for medical reasons though, not for being overdue, at 40 weeks.

second time now, haven’t decided if wasn’t a cs if I need to be induced again (even if the induction was horrible, I was up on my feet with no pain straight after, no need to recover from an operation). I hope I don’t have to make a choice and get into labour first. I’ll book a c-section in the meantime, as I can cancel it any time, and see how I feel closer to term.

it’s hard to decide as you can’t predict the outcome of any decision, so think it’s down to what you’re most comfortable with + what risks you’re comfortable with too.

@CristinaNov182 some countries (eg France) don't intervene until 42 weeks, not to mention being "overdue" is very subjective - due dates are usually approximate, not set in stone. So the anxiety around being overdue is largely unfounded.

@Kindofcrunchy

stats are facts, and the longer the pregnancy the bigger the risk, that’s a fact.

every woman and indeed country will be comfortable with different level of risk.

it’s worth checking the stats and the risk and decide what you’re comfortable with, fully informed.