Stretch and Sweep - is it right for me?

[AliB]

Hi all

I'm 40+3 today and I'm turning my mind to next Wednesday when I'll be seeing the OB at 41+2. I have a feeling that I'll still be pregnant then so thought I should start thinking about this!

My OB is marvelously low intervention. He has repeatedly said "You can go to 42 weeks, and you can go longer if you want". He is delightfully non-sensationalist, and he has minimised any findings we've had to date such as big baby, big head, slight rise in blood pressure, as "all normal". I've had friends with similar measures who've had the fear of c/section put into them from an early date, but he just says "Your baby is normal and healthy, you feel well, everything is going to be fine". I can rarely fault him!

As for me, I have no interest in induction. Very keen to avoid it. Desperate, even!! I am more comfortable with the slight risk associated with continuing post-dates. I am very much into letting bub choose his own birth date, and I'm not at all fussed that I've passed the magical 'due date'. What this means though is that I have not talked to my OB at all about "what we need to do and when" - but as time goes by I realise the conversation is inevitable and now just around the corner!

I should really note that I'm birthing in a private hospital so I guess I'm not coming from a position of no-medical-interference-in-birthing-whatsoever.

So at 39+2 appt the OB said to me "we'll do an internal next week and perhaps a stretch and sweep the following week". It was the first time that he'd actually put a time frame on anything, so I didn't comment and thought to myself "we'll see about that!". Then yesterday at 40+2 I sat down and said "about that internal...", he immediately replied "We don't need to do anything today", I said "good" - end of conversation! Yes he's a gem.

But... he said "We'll need to do one next week (at 41+2), because we need to work about what our options might be for an induction (after 42wks)". Regarding S&S, he said "We can do one if you want". So, ball is entirely in my court as usual!

Maybe I should have asked more question then and there. I mean I'm paying this guy a small fortune but to be honest I know his professional advice is only his opinion and I would rather research it myself!

Part of me feels that I don't need the internal and s&s if I'm willing to wait it out, the other part feels that I shouldn't be stubborn if there's a chance that the s&s will get things moving.

So... my thoughts are for next week - at 41+2 I would probably be wise to agree to an internal so we know where we're at. Then, if and only if there is good dilation and effacement I also feel that an S&S would be a reasonable strategy. I realise there is a chance of breaking waters during an S&S which does give me pause for thought, I'd hate to rush it and then be on the clock for induction or antibiotic drip.

Would appreciate anybody's thoughts and experiences!!!!

[Peach*]

Hmmmm, it really is your choice!
I know what it is like though, I went 40+12 then was induced, had a s+s the day before and it was AWFUL I was was less informed then though and far more impatient to meet my baby, this time round I would just wait it out, Bub is going to come out eventually I say
Good luck with whatever you choose, such an exciting time!
P.s The s+s didt do anything either,they still induced me in the end.

[krisp]

I had a S&S at 40+2 and it didn't do anything other than hurt! My DD came when she was ready which was 5 days later. I know it does work for some people but if your Dr is happy to just play it as it comes then hang in there and let you bub decide decide his birthday. Good luck.

[HollyC]

From what I know a S&S will only have an effect if you are close to labouring anyway. You need to be somewhat dilated for it to be possible too.

So an internal will tell you if you are dilated and then you can chose a S&S or you will find out your cervix is firm and closed.

For me, it was pretty difficult going to appointments and finding out baby wasn't engaged and my cervix wasn't doing anything. I was induced at 41+2. In retrospect I wouldn't have an internal if I wasn't going to accept induction because it is just so disappointing when nothing is happening.

This time around I am using visualisation and positive thinking. I firmly believe that being in the right frame of mind is essential to labour starting. I'm not saying that this will make things start, but I think negativity or a sense of not feeling ready will delay things. For this reason I'm not interested in having an internal unless I'm at the point of feeling ready for an induction.

My doctor is being good about all this stuff too. He tells me what he recommends, but also that it is up to me what I chose to do. I'm currently trying to decide what my limit is and when I'd accept an induction. Have you thought about how far overdue you are willing to go?

Hmmm, I think I have just had a bit of a ramble. Hopefully some of that makes some sense.

[AliB]

Thanks for your posts ladies, some good food for thought.

And yes Holly you did make sense I just don't know how far over I'm willing to go.. I should be OK to 42 weeks but I really think I'll be anxious after that and each day is already becoming an eternity!

[~Minny~]

It really is a personal choice if you think it might help go for it, if you dont think its nessessary dont do it.

I personally had one this time around i was 40+5 weeks and already in earlly stages of labour, It sped my contractions up but i still had my waters broken the next day.

I should also add..i wasnt actually asked if i wanted one....he just did one when he did an internal to see how far along i was.