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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

should i have a sweep?

14 replies

motherbeyond · 21/04/2010 07:38

i'm 39 weeks tomorrow.went to see the mdwf yesterday. i've had really bad sciatica and am finging it hard to walk.also, i've been having niggles/painful b.hix since the weekend.

when i shuffled into her office yesterday she said "oh,love,shall we call time on this?"

i was suprised and said,"what do you mean?"

she said i should get booked in for an early induction.

chemical intervention is not on my to do list..unless i was very overdue (im only due on the 29th!)

she then said "can we meet in the middle and get you a sweep?"

im seeing a consultant on fri to discuss.

by the way..this midwife is very very lovely and supportive and is probably the best one i've seen. (have two other lo's) i know she just wants to put me out of my suffering so to speak....

what do you think?

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rubyslippers · 21/04/2010 07:41

up to you

a sweep won't do very much unless you are ready to go into labour anyway

have you had a show or anything like that?

i would have a sweep before an induction

Original poster

motherbeyond · 21/04/2010 07:48

nope,no show or anything.

yes,wouldn't have a proper induction,but may consider a sweep.

i just don't know whether to leave baby alone,and just suffer the last week or so of my preg.

my dh thinks i should have induction,my girl friends think i should leave things alone

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rubyslippers · 21/04/2010 08:18

i would leave things - easier said than done

if you are having niggles then things may get going soon anyway

i had both my DCs at 39 weeks

mazzystartled · 21/04/2010 08:34

hi motherbeyond
(I'm due on 30th with my third baby so empathise hugely)

I think people are getting very sweep happy at the moment. It's been suggested that I go in for one early next week - I'm attempting a VBA2C so they want me to have every chance of getting labour going rather than being stuck with another CS as induction is not on the menu here either.

TBH I think I am going to wait until 40 weeks before I consider it. I think the considitions have to be right - and that is in your head as well as your body.

HAve you got any support with the other two DC? Can you possibly farm them out and relax for the next few days?

Original poster

motherbeyond · 21/04/2010 08:50

no chance of that i'm afraid ...my dd (just turned 4)likes to stay with granny and grandad,but ds(just turned2) is mega clingy and has never slept anywhere else.
im meeting some friends in a soft play centre tomorrow and they'll entertain them for me whilst i just sit and watch.

ohhhh,don't know what to do. if it wasn't for my back and loss of mobility i wouldn't even consider anything until 40 weeks.

i know if i have the sweep on fri,probably nothing will happen til the sat or sun,then i'd only be 4 days early.

but,i just don't know whats for the best.

my dc's are driving me up the wall as well.they're usually really good,but seem to sense the weakness in me..and are teaming up and going for the jugular!! it's a nightmare.

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Original poster

motherbeyond · 21/04/2010 09:52

forgot to say mazzy...good luck to you too!

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mazzystartled · 21/04/2010 11:25

oh, it is tricky

my 3 year old definitely knows something is up and is being a possessive little minx....

I suppose the only issue with the sweep is if it DOESN'T work - discomfort and a weekend of anticipation for nothing. But then again it could just press the magic button?

Good luck to you too.

DomesticG0ddess · 21/04/2010 11:30

Sorry to hear you are in pain. Are there any negatives to having a sweep? ie. any risks? When I had one (was 10 days over due date) it wasn't bad at all - less uncomfortable than a smear and I went into labour later that day. Reflexology, acupuncture?

rubyslippers · 21/04/2010 11:37

if you aren't ready (ie cervix ripening and dilating) then it can be painful and disappointing

mine was very painful and i had already had a show and was around 2 cm dilated already and it did kick things off for me

Original poster

motherbeyond · 21/04/2010 13:05

i had one with my first pregnancy and must say,it bloody hurt!i nearly shot off the bed..but yes,it worked for me too.

i'm not sure of any risks,i don't think so.
like ruby slippers says, if you're not ready nothing will happen,and if you are,it may jump start things.

had a bit of a scare before,felt really bad,as if was about to vomit,poo(sorry!) and pass out at same time..along with bad tummy pains.put youngest in his cot so i knew he'd be safe and had a lie down.

feeling bit better now,but tummy still v.achy,and just wish i could sleep all day,but must go and get dd from nursery

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Jayfer · 21/04/2010 13:22

Hey Motherbeyond, we share a due date! I saw my consultant today to discuss pros and cons of induction as I'm struggling with a medical condition which causes a lot of pain plus I've got SPD.
The baby is extremely comfortable where he is (glad one of us is!), he's not engaged and I've had no show or anything to indicate that he might want to show up.

I've decided to press on for a while rather than be induced but the doc has written the order so I can choose to have it if I get to the end of my tether.

I'm off to see my MW tomorrow and have decided to have a sweep. The consultant said there are no risks associated with this unless I have one twice a day when there would be an increase risk of infection. If the baby is nearly ready it may speed up going into labour, if he's not then it won't change anything.

Original poster

motherbeyond · 21/04/2010 13:52

yup,that's more or less what i thought.my baby isn't engaged either..head fixed (whatever that means!)but apparantly they can engage just before birth anyway.

eeeee,it's a pain isn't it?!i used to want 6 children,but honestly think after this time iwon't be able to face it again!
halfway there may have to do

good luck to youjayfer here's wishing you a swift and pain free labour!!!

OP posts:

mum2phoebs · 21/04/2010 14:07

I had a sweep this morning - I'm 41 weeks. I just relaxed so much as wanted the midwife to be able to do a good job! It didn't hurt - smears hurt much more. No instruments involved just a midwife with gloves on using 2 fingers. Apparently she managed to do a really good job and was pretty confident that it may start may labour off later today....

If you are in pain walking then go for the sweep, the sooner you are out of pain the better. I have been struggling to walk for weeks and if I was offered a sweep before today I'd have jumped at the chance!

Original poster

motherbeyond · 21/04/2010 14:55

ahh,poor you...you should have asked!i'm sure they would have obliged.

well,hopefully things will move along for you today.when i got home after my sweep with dd,i rang my mum and she asked how i was and i said "oh,ok,i'm just having a lie down 'cos i've got tummy ache from that sweep"

it didn't occur to me it had started,but i went to the loo and had had a show,and it all went from there...good luck

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