Why do some women have this done?

[PinkPalace]

Hi girls

Just a curiousity question and would love to hear peoples opinions and experiences.

I have read on forums and from others that they have gone in for sweeps prior to 40 weeks.

Wondering why women have invasive procedures prior to when they are due. Isnt it best to let bub do what bub wants to do (at least until you are well overdue).

I am interested to find out what people think.

[Tobily]

Wondering why women have invasive procedures prior to when they are due. Isnt it best to let bub do what bub wants to do (at least until you are well overdue).

By the tone of your post it sounds like you're implying that women only have this done for their own convenience.

This is not always the case.

I had one with my last pregnancy as I was to be induced at 38 wks due a couple of medical conditions I had developed while pregnant. having a S and S was basically my best chance of avoiding the induction if it kicked my body into labour on it's own.

As far as invasive procedures go, a stretch and sweep is pretty low on the list. It's a fairly low level intervention that generally doesn't work anyway if you're not already close to going into labour and is definitely preferable to having your labour induced with drugs if that's your other option

[becmc]

I had one and it was at the advice of the nurse(I think it was around 38 weeks). Knowing what I know now there is no way anyone will be doing anything like that to me to start labour this time, I also believe that it will start naturally on it's own when the body is ready.
Having said that though, of course there are instances where medically it is required, as Flea said to avoid further more invasive interventions.

[Tanya]

PrincessMya,
I think there are plenty of reasons to try and get your body ready before your EDD. A s&s won't do much if the rest of the system isn't ready, but I suppose it may start the ball slowly rolling. And you must remember that a baby is 'full term' at 37 weeks

Tanya

[PinkPalace]

Mads & jelvie,

What did it involve? What is a matter of a speculum and .....?

Flea,

I have no tone regarding this procedure just not sure why it is done - hence asking the question. Therefore not implying anything so please dont assume.

In regards to being invasive - this is catagorised as an invasive procedure hence why i refered to it as so.
What medical conditions is it used for... i understand people have it for medical conditions but which ones.

[becmc]

And you must remember that a baby is 'full term' at 37 weeks

I actually disagree with that statement. A baby 'can be' full term anywhere from 37 to 42 weeks, but some may need to reach to full 42 weeks before they are full term(for that individual baby).

[aussienic]

I had one done with my first baby as my BP was slowly rising over the week and the Dr wanted to induce me the following day anyways but wanted to see if he could kick start labour that way..

I was 39 weeks

[PinkPalace]

Tanya

Thanks for your answer. I do understand that 37 weeks is considered full term.

I have been told i have a small baby on board and the doctors want to keep me overdue as long as possible (from what i understand) so i would assume this wouldnt be much of an option in my case do you think?

Do you know if it has much effect on speeding up labour if you have been having weeks of pre-labour symptoms?

[PinkPalace]

AussieNic

Did it start labour or did you have to be induced anyhow.?

[aussienic]

AussieNic

Did it start labour or did you have to be induced anyhow.?

It worked.. I didn't know it at the time though,, Labour started that afternoon but I thought they were bh's. When I went to the hosp to be induced the following morning they said I beat them to it..

[Tanya]

Sorry I will rephrase... a baby is considered full term and is fully developed at 37 weeks. Although the baby more than likely will be born after 37 weeks

Princessmya... I had a S&S when I was 40w5d with DD#2 and went into labour the next morning.
I am not sure about it speeding up labour if you have been having prelabour for weeks... can't see why not I was having bad prelabour contractions with DD#3 and eventually I tried nipple stimulation (40w1d)and it finally got things going.

GL
Tanya

[Tracey]

I have never had 1 but I think ppl whom have history of High BP, GD and are either trying to avoid meds (for BP) or going to be induced earlier prefer to bhave an S&S before resorting to drug inductions!

Princessmya,
I wouldnt believe the story of having a small baby on board, They have no way of telling the size of bubs til they are born!


Both of mine were considered small about 6lbish.... But born DD#1 was 7lb 10 & DD#2 was 8lb 1....

My cuz was told her baby was of a dangerously low birth weight & at almost 13lbs later they said OOOPs! Where did you carry her!??? My cuz delivered naturally as they believed bubs to be small, went intop shock & began fitting whilst they tore the baby out of her! She went on to have 2 more babies both over 10lbs & via C/sect as it was extremely traumatic for her! All this for a guesstimated 5lbish baby... hmmm...

When they tell me "It's a small buba, or a heralthy size I ignore them they have bo idea til bubs is out!"

[RhiChiChi]

I have never had 1 but I think ppl whom have history of High BP, GD and are either trying to avoid meds (for BP) or going to be induced earlier prefer to have an S&S before resorting to drug inductions!"

I have GD (gestational diabetes) and my OBS will not do a S&S to bring on labour. In actual fact he won't even talk about an induction or S&S until I am over my due date. I saw him today and he told me that b/c I have controlled my GD with diet & exercise there is no reason for me to be induced or a S&S to bring on labour. He also did mention that unless the cervix is ready, that induction / s & s is almost pointless as nothing is likely to occur.

[Pandora]

I had one without informed consent, it was very uncomfortable, the OB then went on and refused to attend the birth, and I feel I was pushed into an induction 2 days later.

I am yet to meet an OB who consider 42 weeks to be full term. the fill in OB referred to above told me he routinely induces his patients on their due date or 1 day after (!) and mine won't let you go past 10 days overdue.

I wish I could find one who would!

WRT small sizes, my OB (not the one above, my actual OB) does not believe in u/s to tell the babies size, he used to but had to many occasiion where he had referred an expectant mum for a c/s (he is not a surgeon so doesn't do them himslef, and actively discourages them) for a "big baby" only to have her birth a 6 or 7lb bubba

[PinkPalace]

Well i had a Meeting with the doctor and he said that they would induce me on the 25th if no baby (term +10). He said i could have a sweep if i wanted it about 5-6 days post dates. SO not sure will have to wait and see i guess.

Tracey - yeah bub is ok size. Growing well which is the important thing. I was sent to a special sonographer (wasnt the dr who did the scan) to measure amniotic fluid and babies growth etc because i wasnt really showing all the much at 36 weeks. But all seem fine - bub is just hiding in there somewhere so that was a relief. Happy to have a little bub anyhow over a 10 pounder! lol ouch.

[TeganRheana]

Well I had one done...for no medical reason other than i was 39wks and ready to have my baby on time. It didn't work though and I still went 11 days overdue. I see nothing wrong with it and I will take the opportunity again to help bubs along if and when it arises, in my experience it was relatively painless, it was more uncomfortable....

[Beach Mama]

I had one when i was 6 days overdue - in the hope it would bring on labour and i wouldnt need to be induced. It didnt work and i ended up having the induction but I would do it again as I would want to give my body the best chance to go into labour without drugs.... good luck making your decision!!!

[sushee]

I had loads of pre-labour contractions - two weeks worth - and was 4cm dilated when my ob suggested a S&S to move things along. In my case, it actually made my contractions very irregular, and at one stage labour stopped altogether. The next day I was induced when bub was found to be in distress.