Advice wanted from all you mums out there please 🙌Unsuccessful sweep today, induction booked for 4 days time...Help 🙌

[Orangeroses243]

Bit of an a essay - Feeling a bit deflated...(before I continue I will say that my baby is cooking away and is quite clearly happy in there and is healthy so that's fantastic and the main thing and feel blessed about his of course).....as for me first time mum, I do not sleep longer than 1 hour intervals of a night due to bad hips, carpel tunnel in both hands which is painful along with heartburn and the other long list of symptoms so i feel like i am struggling. So for today's sweep appointment I was excited that things may get going and I'd be meeting my baby by end of the week.....
My body clearly doesn't want this as I am 0cm dialoted and cervix is tilted back still. Has been noted as medium and not firm so maybe only just starting to progress towards even being soft.
Anyway likely hood of anything progressing in a 4 day period??? I assume little.....any tips welcome.
Regarding the induction due to being 0cm dialated midwife said will start with a pessary induction...Just wondering how long after this would I begin to labor?
Any advice or experiences from other mum greatly appreciated thank you xx

How many weeks are you?
I was induced at 37 weeks and I had 2 pessaries and a gel (I think) which altogether took 3 days. I assumed mine took a while because my body wasn't ready! In the end they broke my waters and I had the synto drip. If you can avoid the drip I would, as it made the contractions quite intense. Lots of people have an epidural with the drip. (I didn't though)
I would walk a lot and try to stay calm. Rest as much as you can too, even if you're not sleeping.

Hello,
I went to 40+3. I had a sweep on the Fri morn and induction booked in for the Tues. I ended up having 3 gels and the midwife managed to break my waters. I had the drip to induce Labour - I agree, very painful. It was then decided I'd have a section as was still not dilating. I had my baby via section on the Thursday PM. I really wish things had moved naturally but it just didn't and in the end I really just wanted to see my baby whichever way they came out!
Hoping you're not in too much discomfort and wishing you all the best!

How many weeks are you? I'm booked for an induction on Saturday at 40+3, have had 2 sweeps - most recent, today. Hoping it'll have some effect!

It really depends on your body and you. I had two pessaries and ended up on the drip five days later. The woman in the opposite bed had the pessary and within three hours she was back on the ward with her baby.

Just wanted to share my experience… I went for a sweep at 40+6 weeks, which was unsuccessful, the midwife said she “failed” to be able to perform it as my cervix was too high and was tightly shut (0cm). She booked my induction (midwife recommended that this was 4 days later, but I pushed for this to be 6 days later, on the agreement that I would not be allowed the out-patient induction and would have to remain in hospital for the entire induction period - this might differ depending on your hospital).

But I remember feeling the exact same as you - so deflated and I burst into tears when I got into my car to drive home and resigned myself to an induction. I read up as much positive induction experiences as I could to prepare myself, which really helped to relax me about the whole experience. I also tried to increase my oxytocin as much as I could by watching mushy feel good romance films, in a dimly lit room with candles and fairy lights etc - anything to make me feel warm and fuzzy, while doing a figure of 8 with my hips on my birthing ball.

2 days after my failed induction I started to feel mild cramping, lost my mucus plug that night before bed and baby made a very swift entry to the world the following morning (3 days after the failed sweep and 10 days past my due date). It is very possibly for things to change very quickly. Have you asked your midwife for a second sweep? I had a second one booked for 3 days after the first one, it might be worth asking your options.

This last stretch of pregnancy is the hardest!! Especially when you are in pain and uncomfortable, every day overdue feels like a lifetime. You will have your baby in your arms in a matter of days, so try and keep thinking of that.

Good luck for when baby arrives, it’s the most magical moment when you meet your little one for the first time 🥰

Honestly everyone is different. Had a sweep at 40 weeks exactly - 2cm dilated, 50% effaced whoop - midwife says she is hopeful I won't reach 41 weeks.

41 weeks. Still pregnant. Still the same. Go to my induction appointment at 41+2. Same - but because 2cm sent home to await bed for breaking waters. 4am next morning labour starts after hind waters break naturally. STILL 2cm and 50% 😅.

2 hours later I'm 9cm dilated. No induction required 🤷‍♀️

A friend went to a sweep and wasn't dilated at all and they couldn't do it, induction booked for next day. Went into natural labour that night. Baby born by morning.

@neleh87 thank you, I am 38 weels and 3 days.

I have heard the drip can be painful so would definitely ask for epidural.

I will try and rest. I just wish I could get things going naturally 😪 I suppose it just won't happen now in 4 days

@Summersglow thanks for sharing. Your experience is very interesting I am only 38 weeks and induction booked 39 which makes me wonder if I will struggle to. Looking back if you knew what you knew would you opt for a c section instead of being induced as this is on my mind now

@T2024 I hope today went OK and really sending you luck that it works! .I am 38 weeks and 3 days induction booked on 39 weeks exactly. Wanting to get things moving die to size of baby 👶
You could also be a christmas day baby like me 🎄

@Flyingfoxes56 5days later! My gosh! Well done to you. I asked another lady on here thay if pessary doesn't work maybe I can ask for c section instead of going for next stages ie drip I don't think I can cope with 5 days 😅

I had an attempted sweep which failed, everything was very closed and I resigned myself for a week long induction and was dreading it. Had one pessary in (again was told everything looked very ‘not ready’ however I started contractions a few hours later and went from 0cm to 10cm in a few hours. Was too fast for any (proper) pain relief. Just to let you know that it doesn’t always happen in a linear way and for me it went from 0 to baby very quickly! Good luck

@7amCoffeeClub thank you for sharing and advising! Really appreciate it!!
You did so well, I am not even over due I an 38 weeks and 3 days induction booked 39 weeks in dot due to baby size they are recommending it....
I am trying to be positive but just really don't want to be induced and it be days and days of forced labour inductions. I feel like my choices are small and I don't really know what to do as just don't know what's best.

I want to try and kick start but being 38 weeks and 3 days I doubt I can naturally increase this in 4 days?!?! I have had the hottest curry, keeping active all day not even sitting down. Mucus plug definitely not made an appearance yet...

I had an induction just before 38 weeks. It was ok and I had a good recovery. Felt high for days afterwards. This is a while ago now, but as I recall:

• went in to hospital in the morning. Some point during that day they checked my cervix and not much was happening. I had a Bishop score suggesting not much was going to happen. Prostaglandin pessary in.
• very tedious night in hospital with very little sleep because of heat and noise. Midwife checked cervix in the night. Still nothing much happening
• labour started about 4pm the following afternoon I think. Slow build up to regular contractions around 8pm.
• waters broke around 10pm. Started pushing properly around then. Wanted pain relief but too late for anything but gas and air.
• baby born at midnight. Bloody painful but the best moment of my life. Episiotomy- healed well. Good Apgar score. Baby fed well.

@cantthinkofaname1991 thanks for sharing! This has given me a bit of hope!
Please can I ask what week you were induced?

@Mwnci123 thanks for sharing, similar timing to mine! Il be 39 weeks. Your experience sounds very positive compared to others I've spoke to. A few that have kindly posted on my post have too shared experiences I think seem ok.
Thanks again x

No problem, I was induced at 38+5, the reason was for small growth so they didn’t want me to go over.

I had an unsuccessful sweep about 40 weeks then it got to 41 and I was being pressured into an induction which I was adamant I didn't want. I asked for a c-section instead and during my booking appointment for that the nurse offered another sweep. she said she had long fingers and had been successful where others hadn't been. I was sceptical but accepted.
The day of the c-section arrived at 41+5 and I was due to go into hospital at 06.30. My waters broke naturally at 4.30am. He was born by 9am.
such a relief, although I'd mentally geared myself up for a c-section by that point so was slightly aggrieved it meant I had to push.

I can tell you every day after 40 weeks feels like a whole week. I was so uncomfortable.

@alwaysworthatry thanks for sharing. Bless you I bet it does feel hard after the 40 week I am 38weeks 4 days.

Can I ask why you decided at the time the choice of c section over induction?
Just curious and thinking for myself thanks 😊

@Orangeroses243 when you say you are being induced due to the size of the baby, do you mean baby is bigger or smaller than they expect? If you are being told baby is too big, know that the NICE guidelines specifically state that induction or C-section is not indicated for this circumstance. Personally I would not agree to induction for that reason.

The data shows that most babies are born between 40+0 and 40+6, so it's very likely your body and baby are not ramped up for labour yet.

Having said that, my tip if you did agree to the induction would be to ask for a room with wireless monitors so you can be as mobile as possible in labour. Having had an emergency C-section after induction I would not have chosen the C-section myself.

Having been induced (at 41+2) and it ultimately ending in an EMCS, I wouldn't wish that on anyone. Anecdotally I don't know a single person I've spoken to since having DS 6 years ago who had a positive induction experience. We never went on to have more DC, but if we had I'd have opted for an elective section 100%.

@angelpie33 thanks for your response!!
So they are saying if I was left part date it would be a chance baby will be over 10lbs so best to encourage early labour to help me.

My cervix was noted at 0cm dialted and cervix medium not yet soft so it's not at the stage where my body is naturally ready to deliver. Which is what I was really hoping for yesterday to have a sweep so I can do it.

The thought of trying to push a 10lb baby frightens me due to risks mentioned. I'd rather avoid a section due recovery time and mobility after and we want to try again in around a years time and have birthing options again rather than another c section. (My age is fine but can't leave it too much longer incase things start to decline 😉)

It's just the unknown for me so probably over thinking hence I wrote on here to get real opinions and experiences.

It's helpful to know you wouldn't of opted for the c section after having had to have one. Can I kindly ask why? Was the recovery tough for you and how was the operation as such. I suppose as emergency it was nerve racking!
I know we are all different but it's really nice to listen to others experiences xx

Ah I see, personally I still don't think I would go for an induction just on that basis but it's obviously a very personal decision. If you did want to read into it a bit more Sara Wickham has a useful blog post about suspected big babies.

Re the C-section I found recovery difficult (pain for around 6 weeks and I also had difficulty with my external scar healing so it didn't fully heal for 12 weeks). But also I never wanted one to begin with due to the impact on the baby's immune system compared to a vaginal birth, and also potential complications in future births. If I was wanting a particular small age gap I would be even less inclined to choose a C-section.

Hello,
I think in hindsight I'm glad I tried induction but was open for a section too. I left it to the midwives really as they were excellent and I went with the professional's advice. Wishing you all the best. :)

@angelpie33 I am going to sit search and read this Sara Wickham blog today thank you!

Also look into the baby's immune system as didn't know c section even affected such things.
Thanks for sharing x

@Summersglow
See I think if I decline I could then wish I would of listened if things don't progress and I have to go straight for section.

Due to the unknown for me and my experience I think following the midwives advice is sensible as they do this all the time and that kind of reassures me. So agree with you there.

Thanks for sharing x