invisible/chronic illnesses, pregnancy and beyond

Stretch and sweep

I’m booked for a stretch and sweep on Monday at 37+1 as baby is measuring big. I’ve never had one before so just curious to hear from people who have and how effective they are? I was really lucky to have a natural birth with my first 2 and I’d really like to go natural again with this one but because she’s big and I have PGP I won’t be able to go full term so will have to consider being induced or having a c-section.

What were people’s experiences, did it make you go into labour within the next couple of days, did it need to be repeated, did it end in an induction/c-section anyway? I’m assuming it won’t be painful but am expecting it to be uncomfortable. Tia 😊

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I’m having to make this decision too and I think I’m going to opt for a section. A lot of stories I’ve heard from induction either had a horrible time and needed assistance or ended in emergency section. I’m worried for the complications and birth of birthing a bigger baby but I am concerned for the recovery after a c section, I’ve never had any kind of surgery before. I’m meeting with a consultant so will decide then after discussing my options xx

I have the same concerns as you. I have never heard of an induction that hasn’t lasted days and resulted in forceps/vacuum/c-section anyway but on the other hand, I also have never had surgery before and the idea of having multiple layers of muscle sliced open while awake and then being really sore and taking ages to recover after doesn’t appeal to me either. I have an appointment with my consultant on Weds if baby doesn’t come before then. Good luck, hope all goes well for you xx

Well, there was some clinical study showing that they are not working if your body is not ready...

Also, baby showing big on ultrasound might not be relevant, they do the measurement from femur.

Good thing is thinking about your relatives, do you have large babies? How was their birth?

Just to say, I am not healing well, so had terrible time after c section plus in fibromyalgia it can trigger fatigue - but had a friend with no problem with c section. I think planned one is much better as you are rested (I had emergency one, slow labour as I was stressed by lockdown). If I needed induction (and generally speaking they are not worth it in my opinion), I would go direct for c section.

Btw if you do get c section, massaging the scar is super important and it's worth to get physio - you can get it at 8 week check up. Also, make arrangements at home as it might take weeks before you are comfortable to carry baby around, but nothing wrong with breastfeeding in bed.

Thank you for your advice. My mum had me at 9lbs 3oz and my brother was 9lbs 6oz but she was lucky to have both natural births although we were both overdue. My eldest was born at 36+6 weighing only 5lbs I 14.5oz and I still ended up with a 2nd degree tear. My youngest was born at 34+6 weighing 6lbs 4oz so he would have been big if I went full term.

I have fibromyalgia as well so I do worry about the recovery of a c-section but like you say a planned section is better than emergency which a lot of inductions result in anyway.

Yeah, I think it's more it's better than emergency... Also, I was not comfortable for a few weeks pushing the pram, it's just about being conscious the recovery might be a bit longer than you are used to...

Not sure how it compares to recovery from a tear etc... exercise after is slightly different but again, it's always so individual how you recover... And planned one is so much better, I would definitely go for c section than induction... And even turning etc...

Thankfully my partner is incredibly hands on with my older 2 and has actually been off work basically being my carer since August due to the pregnancy making my fibromyalgia worse and causing PGP so if I do have a section he will still be off work to help with carrying baby, pushing pushchair etc so that doesn’t worry me too much.

I found the recovery from a tear to be pretty awful, incredibly painful but then I didn’t have good support from the father of my older 2 so I didn’t get to rest and allow my body to heal.

I think if needs be I’ll go for a c-section over induction but just hopeful that the sweep will encourage labour to start by itself 🤞 thanks for your help!

@Nikky you too! Am sure we will make the right decision. When do you have to decide as you’re further along than me and I’m meeting with consultant at 36 weeks so hoping to book something in then xx

I’ll be meeting with the consultant on Weds as I’ll be 37+3 so I’m assuming I’ll need to decide then. Trouble is, she was reluctant to discuss induction at all in the beginning and said they won’t consider doing it before 39 weeks which I’m not happy with as I have fibromyalgia and severe PGP so have been struggling a lot anyway. My midwife wasn’t very happy with that opinion either and suggested I get a second opinion if this appointment doesn’t go well so at least she’s supportive. How long until you’re 36 weeks? xx

@Nikky I’m 34+4 so my 36 week appointment is week after next. Let me know what they advise and what you decide to do xx

Ah okay, I will do xx

@Nikky 🥀 remember, you can always change your mind, so even if you book in something, you can decide last minute (maybe not helpful, but it's up to you how you feel at that moment). I was told basically even if you book yourself for something, you can always cancel...

@Nikky 🥀 I had quite a few sweeps with no. 1 which meant dilation started, so they could start an induction with breaking my waters and my body took over from there. Went in at 3pm, baby at midnight 🙂 Bit of a palava at the end but that's because he was quite large (9lb 15) so not caused by the induction.
Best of luck making a decision that works for you x

That’s good, I forget they can break your waters to encourage your contractions to start. I really want to avoid a chemical induction if I can help it. Yikes that’s big! My baby is measuring ahead by 2-3 weeks and I’m really hoping she’s not that big 🤣

I had my sweep today and she said she could feel baby’s head so she’s engaged, my cervix is still long but soft and thin so gave me a score of 6/10. Been cramping all afternoon so really hoping it turns into contractions 🤞🤞

@Nikky 🥀 excellent news! Hopefully a baby on their way soon. Keep us updated 😃

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