Stretch and sweep - please help me decide :(

**zap** · May 18th, 2011, 09:48 AM

I had two s&s with ds3 at my request as they where harping on about csection and there was no way I was going to do that without trying everything first. The first one was at 39 weeks which dilated me to 2cm and the second one was at 40+3 and I started have contractions on the drive home. I do however think my body was ready as both times when I had them the docs said my cervix looked perfectly ready for labour. Good luck

**blessedatlast** · May 18th, 2011, 10:13 AM

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** · May 18th, 2011, 07:24 PM

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** · May 18th, 2011, 08:32 PM

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** · May 18th, 2011, 08:37 PM

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!!

**OceanPrincess** · May 18th, 2011, 08:46 PM

Go the 10lb baby

Big babies rock!

**onthefly** · May 18th, 2011, 09:08 PM

why not go for 11?
Hope you have a beautiful birth Shanti

**Arcadia** · May 18th, 2011, 09:16 PM

Jumping in to offer some hugs

Those last few days before DS was born I was teary all the time, so keep up the crying...it really does help I think. As for a S&S. I asked my midwife to have a look at my cervix at 39 wks, because I was starting to get some contractions, but I refused a S&S. I am glad I refused, because I dilated ever so slowly over the next week and had a fabulous birth!!!! Your body knows what it's doing and you sound wonderfully confident in that...keep visualising that fantastic birth!!!!

So excited for you! Its so wonderful to have a second bub. I am in constant ecstatic raptures!

**Shanti** · May 20th, 2011, 05:25 PM

Thanks girls

I'm so glad i refused the s & s. Looks like i wont be birthing at the birth centre..... Never mind.

**onthefly** · May 20th, 2011, 05:31 PM

***Ash*** · May 20th, 2011, 10:33 PM

Wishing you all the best for your labour and birth Shanti.

**Fleur** · May 20th, 2011, 10:41 PM

I can only tell you what I'd do

I wouldn't have anything invasive like a S&S before my due date. Probably not til I was 7-10 days over actually. I just think your baby will come when he/she is ready and trying to force it might make you have a harder labour. You will go into labour soon. If you go overdue I doubt it will be further than with your DD.

It sucks that you would have to go to another hospital if you're overdue, that's ridiculous to not even give you til 1 wk over before having to change.

My thoughts as well.

And I also thought...'holy moly, are you that far along already? gee that's gone fast!'

I'm really sorry you're not getting the birth centre birth you were hoping for. Sending you lots of beautiful birthing vibes anyway

**Shanti** · May 21st, 2011, 06:36 AM

They have bigger, newer bath tubs where I'm going

that's a plus!!

**beckoes** · May 21st, 2011, 06:53 AM

well done for sticking to your ground!!!

in my case i refused a s&s (even any kind of internal exam) till i was 41+6 weeks. the docs were all starting to get wierd and the midwives who had supported me were starting to warn me about what the docs would be saying and wanting to do at my 42 week appointment, i wanted to avoid being induced and didnt was them to fins a prob with bub and have to rush to get her out so i had the s&s at 41+6. dd2 was born at 42 weeks. i was happy with my decision.
your body knows what its doing, trust your body and your baby ( this is what i said over and over to myself) and if its a big baby and you have to try different possitions etc to helpget it out im sure you will do fine. good luck and look forward to seeing your BA.