Large baby at 33 weeks, declining induction, do sweeps help?

[JAL15]

I'm currently 33 weeks pregnant with my 3rd baby and have been having growth scans since 28 weeks. My baby is measuring 'big' and i have already been offered induction at 37 weeks which i have refused after having such a bad experience with my 1st baby at 37 weeks. Consultant has said to have sweeps from 38 weeks, has anyone had any luck with something similar? I'm worried that I wont go into labour naturally before 40 weeks and run the risk of shoulder dystocia. My 1st baby was 7lb born at 37+6 and 2nd was 8lb 13oz born at 41 weeks and this baby has been on the 95th centile since 28 weeks. Of course, I have the option of elective section but would really love another natural birth!

3rd baby here- also measured big. I agreed to an induction at 39 weeks. Did have sweeps from 37 and a half weeks but didn't work.

My third baby was 10lb at 39 weeks 😅 I had an elective section. My second baby was born at 41+1, 9lb 5oz, I had 2 sweeps a week apart and the second one did indeed things going. However did have episiotomy and forceps in theatre 😅

good luck and go with your gut xx

If you’re worried about not going into labour before 40 weeks but don’t want induction at 37 weeks, why not look into induction at 38/39 weeks?

I had two sweeps. First did nothing, and I went into labour 24 hours after the second but I was already over 40 weeks so may have been purely coincidental.

Look at Sara Wickman’s reporting of the Big Baby Trial. You don’t have to accept induction.

I was having a 9lb+ plus baby..... she was 7lb 1oz and 3 days late.

Sweeps worked for me but everyone is different

Sweep is very effective for me. I’m pregnant with my third and again measured on the smaller side. Any tips for growing big babies 😂

This isn’t what you asked, but I have had big babies and highly recommend the Aniball. One was back to back, and I had no tears, and credit it to this

Sweeps did nothing for me - I had 3 from about 37 weeks but nothing happened. Was induced just after 38 weeks and my baby was well over a lb heavier than they had expected. I was very glad I didn’t go overdue, baby was gaining weight at the rate of knots!

All three of my babies were bigger than yours, OP, and the last was an even 10lbs. Induction was never suggested to me, and all were born vaginally after spontaneous labour, with the help of the vacuum on the first two. Is there a reason they’re particularly worried in your case?

Whether sweeps work completely depends on how favourable your cervix is. I had a successful one with my first at 40+4 (but was in early labour and 3cm anyway), when she was born the early hours of the following morning, similar with DD2 when I was in early labour at 39+4. This time round I tried to have one at 39+1, also to try and avoid an induction, but the MW couldn’t carry it out. My first induction attempt at 39+4 also couldn’t be done for the same reason (I wanted to try the Foley’s balloon), so it was the gel the following day that finally got things going. DD was born at 40w exactly and the induction was actually ok- but if I had to do it again, I think I’d bypass the Foley’s and go straight for the gel. DD was 8lb14.

My baby was measuring 99th centile on growth scans and I was terrified I was going to give birth to a whale that would tear me to shreds. I had a sweep at 39 weeks and went into labour within 20 mins. She was born at a very medium 7lbs 15oz, so all that anxiety for nothing.