Stretch and sweep - please help me decide :(

[Shanti]

Thanks everyone.

There is no way they can pressure me into doing anything I don't want to do. I'm a very strong woman!! LOL..... the only thing that I don't have control over, is where I birth and that is at the other hospital after Friday. If that's how it is, so be it. I had DD there and had a wonderful experience anyway so it's not a bad hospital at all. Just busy. I think I will need to start visualising myself giving birth there from now on, just to be prepared.....

Acupuncture, lots of sex and a curry is on the cards over the next few days and if that doesn't work, then it wasn't meant to happen just yet I'm totally all for letting bub come when ready. I would never be happy with myself if I rushed bub out.
As long as I don't feel comfortable having an S & S then I will keep refusing it.

I think some more crying might help too. Thanks Ocean Princess

[Ginger]

just wanted to check in and see how you are going Shanti?

[krystals]

Just wanted to let you know my experience- I had a S&S... 2 actually, and and I'm not sure they actually did anything. My first was at 39wks and DS came at 41+3, 2 days of labour after my second one. I can't be sure that it was the S&S that brought him on, or if it was just his time. I didn't find it that uncomfortable myself, although I know others have.

DS was large, but my difficulties in birthing him were due to his position, not his size. He had a few problems resulting from his birth but he's in the 2% or whatever statistic (I know that 79% of statistics are made up ) that was large, in a terrible position and who turned the wrong way and got stuck.

I've just read that and realised it might be frightening for someone about to go into labour, but I'm telling you that so you can have anothers person's perspective- which is- I don't know if S&S's actually 'do' anything except take up some time and give you something to focus on, and that the chance of shoulder dystocia relies on so much more than just being 'big'.

I'm very excited for you to meet your bubba!!!

[blessedatlast]

I'm no expert babe, but trust your body. This baby will come when it's ready.. I think it's great you are refusing the stretch and sweep..

[Shanti]

Thanks everyone.

I'm much better about it all today. Just had an acupuncture session and I'm feeling much more positive about it all Bub will come when ready and is not to be rushed..... whether I have an S&S or not, if bub or my body just not ready, then it won't make any difference so no, not going to have one. My last chance is tomorrow to have one and I'm not having one. I'm good with my decision now!!

hoping this acupuncture session today makes a difference though!! If I end up birthing at my other hospital, then so be it. I'm sure it will be another wonderful labour and birth like last time. And I can transfer back to my hospital of choice after 4hrs anyway and have post natal care there where it's quieter.

[glorious]

can you ask that they stop measuring you? it isnt helpful at this point and not actually needed (ever ) i know you already measured past term but measurements are very dodgy in that babies position can change it by many cm's
Also dont forget that while the birth centre has a policy you are not a birth centre you are an individual woman and they can work with you to achieve the birth you want.

[Shanti]

Exactly my thoughts Glorious. It's so silly to measure fundal height, bub moves around all the time, changes positions etc. I carry all out front, I don't fill out on the sides with my tummy. Whereas my friend who's pregnant and 5wks behind me, she has the smallest bump compared to me, YET she fills out on the sides.... (hope that makes sense) be interesting to see if our babies are of similar weights once born.
Fundal height really doesn't give much indication of weight/size of bub hey.... I agree completely.

I measured 43 weeks on Monday I don't care anymore. Even if it is 10pds, bring it on!!