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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

to sweep or not to sweep??

9 replies

biggernow · 16/11/2009 11:59

im 40 weeks this friday with DC2. Midwife app at 12 on Friday anyway and she said last time I can have a sweep if I want (if baby does not come before) Had sweep with DS (didn't find it uncomfortable) and he came next morning (may have been coincidence as was already in latent phase then) but had a tough labour. Don't know whether sweep is good plan or not.

I don't want to mess with nature too much but I have extremely bad round ligament pain round uterus (have done since 8 weeks...) which is getting worse daily (so painful it can make me sick), am unable to run after or properly carry my gorgeous active toddler and am worrying myself silly every day about kicks and movements...so kind of want things to start......don't know what to do....

Anyone????

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
biggernow · 16/11/2009 13:38

anyone....????

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Boogellyboo · 16/11/2009 14:10

Personally, Id probably have the sweep. Im 40+2 now though with my first and desperate to hold my baby! Ive been doing the worrying myself about movements the last few days too, nearly rang the hospital last night but a bath made her get a wriggle on. My next appointments Wednesday and they've already said I wont be offered a sweep as they dont consider 4 days enough over

designerbaby · 16/11/2009 14:14

I had a gazillion sweeps with my first, and they did nothing (I don;t think she was remotely ready to come out, actually, but that's another story...) but on the basis of that and some reading around into induction I've done, the consensus seems to be that sweeps only really make a difference if you are pretty much ready to pop anyway... I think if your baby's not ready then it won't do much anyway...

So I don't think it's really messing with nature that much ? just giving it a little nudge, really. And if you're fed up and in pain, and didn't find it particularly unpleasant last time, (some friends of mine seemed to find them excruciating - I just found them slightly undignified...) then it's not such a drastic intervention, really, and so I don't see that you've much to lose.

I don't, btw, think that sweeps make much of a difference to the kind of labour you have (certainly not in comparison to other forms of induction) from what I've read. So I wouldn't let that worry you too much.

That said, I think a degree of frustration and impatience is understandable and natural, but not necessarily a reason to do anything. I know a lot of the decisions I made last time were due to this more than anything, and I wish I'd had the patience just to let things run their course...

But it sounds like your really finding it difficult, and I think if I were you I'd be inclined to give it a whirl and see what happens...

But look, I'm just someone who had every kind of induction intervention there was last time without much success, and as a result I've read a bit around the subject. I'm NOT and expert, or medic, or anything like that, so I just want to add a disclaimer that someone else may come along and say I'm talking out of my arse, and I'm quite happy to stand corrected should that be the case

In short, examine your motives, but it's not that drastic a thing...

Here's hoping it all happens naturally in the next few days for you anyway, hey?!

db
xx

biggernow · 16/11/2009 15:19

THANKS db, I REALLY appreciate your comments (and time) and don't feel you are talking out of said arse at all...it seems that what you say is indeed true from what I have read.

I think i may plonk DS in pram in warm covers and go for a beach power walk right now.........then perhaps things may happen before Friday!!!!

If not, I have chiropractor Thursday eve and a little accupuncture......so have a few more chances before dear midwife has to stick finger in........

Def can't face sex or even curry.....

Thanks too to Boogellyboo- and best of luck with your labour. Down here on south coast they seem to love a sweep as soon as you reach 40 weeks! Ho hum. GOOD LUCK and keep me posted eh??

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designerbaby · 16/11/2009 16:26

Curry definitely not - the last thing you need is an upset tummy!

That said, anything that keeps you, er, regular, can be good as apparently having empty bowels, and regular movements (sorry if TMI!) can really help things not to get, er, hung up... . IYSWIM.

db
xx

biggernow · 16/11/2009 18:03

i tell you db, i am having no trouble with the bowel emptying....given constipation throughout pregnancy I am amazed at last week of 2-3 times per day........quite something...am almost proud..
x

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biggernow · 19/11/2009 13:11

just to say- DD arrived tuesday morning, au naturelle........no need for sweep.........smarted a little... but have beautiful little girl so worth it......xxxx

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honeyapple · 19/11/2009 20:51

congrats

designerbaby · 20/11/2009 11:21

YAY!! Congrats... xx

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