I can't believe I'm even asking this as I thought I'd give birth a month ago, but I'm here at 39w4d with absolutely zero signs of labor. ZERO. ( I was on progesterone injections until 36w5d to prevent preterm birth which I arguably didn't even need). I have an OB appt tomorrow to talk options if nothing moves along in the next week. Would you ask for a sweep? I would really like to avoid an induction. I'm not terribly uncomfortable but I feel like I could use a little push (so to speak).
What was your membrane sweep experience?
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Do it. I got one with R and he was in my arms 14 hours later. I would ask to be checked to get a sense of your Bishop score. While they're at it, there's no harm in sweeping. It's way better to start labor naturally than having to be induced.
ETA: the sweep was fine. It was like an intense cervical check. Uncomfortable, but nit painful. I had some cramping, but nothing bad. I had more cramping that night that I realized was the start of labor
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Team membrane sweep! If nothing it will just be uncomfortable. If something it will help get things going. I’m sure you have heard/read so many times “if your body is not ready then it will do nothing” so you don’t have much to lose in my mind.
I had multiple in two pregnancies and the first pregnancy ended in induction and the second I went into labour two days after my third “vigorous” sweep.
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I'm really hoping they'll offer that as well as a cervical check tomorrow. I usually see midwives but I'm going to see my fave OB who has seen me through everything- initial HSG, d&c, infertility, medical note to get out of work etc. Hoping to go full circle with her 🤗
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@pachamama: good luck! My super crunchy midwife offered it to me and it was standard practice from our OBs. I was told to walk as much as possible afterwards to make it more effective
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@Pollywog: when did you get it?
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I did it at 39+3 and 40+2. It wasn’t super painful at all but also didn’t lead to labor right away. So I’d say worth a try but don’t count on it. I also ate dates, went on walks, and did acupuncture and eventually went into labor at 40+6 on my induction date so who knows what worked!
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@pachamama: 38+1. I was getting checked because we were deciding on induction. I didn't want to, especially if I wasn't ready. When they checked me I was 3cm, 50% effaced, and engaged. I was good to go and they said we could try a sweep then and then they were going to try another sweep before my induction the next week.
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@Pollywog: why were they going to induce you at 39w??
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It hurt super bad and did nothing (I finally had to be induced at 40+5 for borderline high BP)... but of course everyone woman is different.
If you’re looking for more tips to induce labor...
http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-worked-to-kick-start-laborOf course nothing worked for me, but the long walks maybe helped him get nice and low to make pushing much faster and easier this time around.
Good luck!!
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With my first I had 3 sweeps by 3 different people (2 midwives and an OB). While uncomfortable, they were not unbareable, but did nothing for me. I still ended up being induced at 41+3.
I would still recommend having one, I believe they can help give your body a little push if it’s headed in that direction, I just had (and still have) and extra stubborn little girl.
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The OB who attended my son’s delivery refused to sweep me. She said it’s painful and doesn’t work.
I eventually made it to spontaneous labor with him. My water broke at 10pm on 41+2, contractions woke me up at 2am on 41+3, and he was born at 1am on 41+4.
I had to be induced at 37w with my twins. I was really nervous but everything went smoothly. I started pitocin at 3am but did not progress. I got an epidural at 8:30am, my OB broke Baby A’s water at 9:30am, and the babies were born seven minutes apart before 2pm.
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@pachamama: because they didn't want me to deliver in an Uber
.It's standard practice to deliver at 39 weeks if your previous birth was under 3 hours. Because I hemmoraged with J they were worried that if I didn't make it to the hospital it could be bad. Because it takes P 45 minutes to get back home during rush hour and then 30 minutes to the hospital, there was a fairly good chance of us not getting there in time if labor was during commuting times. Thats also why they had me come in before my labor started with R. I had the same early warning signs that I had with J and they wanted me to be very close if things went quickly.
I'm hoping you have the baby on Friday. 1/11 is a great birthday!
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Did nothing for me at 39 and 40 weeks, but it was a first pregnancy and DS was 100% sunnyside up! I’d still say go for it! I don’t see a downside to trying to get things going (and man, did I ever try!).
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@pachamama: I had one around noon at 39 wks with DD#2....I thought I might be having contractions around 5:30....by 7:00 I was in labor for sure and I had DD in my arms shortly after 9 (thankfully not in a taxi, haha).
My water broke just before 37 weeks with my first, so I felt WAY overdue at 39 weeks...my doctor asked me at that appointment if I was ready to be done, scheduled an induction for a week later commenting I probably wouldn’t need it, then did the sweep. I swear she knew, haha.
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@Pollywog: interesting, I only pushed with Ro for 20 mins but I had Cervidil so it's hard to say what my body realy would have done. They did say if my water broke to get to the hospital ASAP this time but at 8lbs I'm sure it won't be quick. Yes 1/11 would be cool but my husband has a huge meeting at work and we have Ro's birthday party!
@PinkElephant: I was similar with DS1, water broke at 36w4d. So I feel ready but honestly I'm not that uncomfortable.@ElbieKay: glad to hear your induction was smooth!
@YogiRunner: I've seen that list (I commented actually lol). The only thing I will waste my time on is the yoga ball and walking. Definitely not taking castor oil and risking pooping more than I did with DS#
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Membrane was effective both times! Do it!!! It was uncomfortable but not painful. I delivered @36 hours after the sweep with #1 at 38w6d. With #2, I delivered maybe 48 hours later at 38w4d. My water was broken at the hospital during very active labor both times.
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Team no sweep! For my first, it pushed me into labor enough to be admitted but then everything stalled, resulting in pitocin. I wish I'd just waited until my body was totally ready on its own.
Of course, as you can see, everyone is different and it clearly works for some, so take my anecdote with a grain of salt.
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@babypugs: that's sort of my worry. I'm very curious to see what the OB will say in a few hours.
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Team Sweep. With DD she was early at 36w so on progesterone injections with DS until 35+weeks ( midwife let me skip the last dose) I had him at 40w on the dot thanks to a sweep. I was miserable and angry I was even on the shots to begin with. I was already like 2 or 3 cm dilated so She gave me an aggressive sweep ( it hurt a bit) and I walked a lot to keep the crampy feeling going and was in the hospital that night. Currently 29+1 with DD2 and hoping to stop injections again at 35 weeks and I will not hesitate to ask for a sweep during week 39, and aggressive one
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@pinkb: wow we are similar! I also was very angry and resistant to being on the shots given I was in a gray area at36e4d or so with #1. I asked my doctor if she thinks the progesterone is like "artificially" keeping the baby in and she said no way, it's out of my system by now.
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So I didn't even ask for a sweep with my OB today because she did a cervical check and 1) it HURT and 2) I'm really not super primed for labor. 1.5 cm dilated, he's barely engaged, no contractions, cervix high. She was adamant that doesn't really matter and like last time labor might just progress quickly with no warning signs. U/s and NST next week. So it is what I suspected. I just hope I'm not over baking the baby bc of my progesterone shots
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@pachamama: I know I rather take the shots and lower the risk of a premie but man I really hate them and I really Feel they are unnecessary but who knows. Good luck! I know towards the end it is so hard but our bodies know what best I guess. This time I am ama so they won't let me go past 40 at the dr I am at and I really don't want an induction. Praying for it to go smoothly and start on its own but I feel we rarely get what we want lol.
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@pinkb: ack yeah it was a tough decision being so borderline. But the thought of a preemie scared me enough to take them. I took the auto-injector which was so painful I filed a complaint with the FDA. Then there was a national drug shortage when I was 34 weeks (barely got my dose, did you experience this??!) And I got the generic butt shot and was like THIS IS HEAVEN!
How AMA are you? I am 35 and they will let me go to 41+3which surprised me.
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@pachamama: I did not experience that! How weird. The "pharmacy" I get them thru though sucks and it takes forever to order them and the last time I ordered they gave me a really hard time. At first the auto injector was brutal. Like a building burning pain that just wouldnt stop even after it was over. I was on the verge of tears after several. But it's been hit or miss since. I don't miss the but shot at all lol. That just made me super anxious cause DH gave them. Still have some from DS in the pantry lol. I am 37 and will be 38 at delivery
this time around has been different with a lot of extra visits and stuff and my dr claimed it was because of the shots. They have to help prove they are necessary so more frequent visits help that?? I start every 2 weeks visits next week with weekly nst tests too. So different. MFM actually was already talking induction as early as 38 weeks!! Not ready to even entertain that.
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@pinkb: same pain with the arm shot ouch!
Why on Earth would you have more appointments because of the progesterone! Sheesh. They only gave me an ultrasound at 9, 20 and 36 but I had one at 38 due to some irregular heartbeat issues. I wouldn't mind a few more check-ups though!
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