Random post about awkwardness!
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@Robyn I'm ok with the induction on or soon after my due date as my babies have been big and my last really tore me up 😫 i was in so much pain for weeks after, so I don't want him getting too large, but yeah the sweeps maybe not? Unless they help prepare for induction? Yes sorry baby brain! 38 weeks, I'm 30 at the min haha! But yeah, feeling all kinds of weird about her looking down there.
Fair enough. I had so many sweeps last time and didn't have my daughter till 41 + 6 so I kind of don't believe they work unless you're on your way anyway. Is there no other midwife working there who could do the sweeps if you decide to go for it?
Could you maybe talk to her about it? She may not be aware or you could laugh out the awkwardness of it, I am sure it will be okay or they can reassign you someone else x
Here's a good explanation of what a membrane sweep is and what it does: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGYFR20J_lH/?igsh=YWhidTI1emo0YzU3 They can offer you one but if you're not at least a little bit dilated they won't be able to do it. I had a couple of failed sweeps and one successful one (in as much as they were able to successfully do one) but didn't go into labour until a good few days later so I'm not sure if it did much or not. I'd definitely be uncomfortable with someone I know doing it though so I second asking for someone else to do it. I'm sure your midwife will be understanding and it is your right to request a different person!
@Robyn she's the only midwife there lol! I was thinking would the induction work without sweeps or are they necessary? As I'd rather go without and just go for the induction instead, I don't really want unnecessary touching in that area if it won't even work? X
@Hannah I did think this, and she worked on delivery for years before becoming a community midwife so I know to her she's seen many many vaginas, but I've never had someone i know do that so the awkwardness is mostly on my part lol! Xx
You don't need a sweep to have an induction, it's entirely up to you! Some people refuse sweeps due to them posing a bit of an infection risk. You can definitely choose to get an induction without it. Or even refuse induction altogether/ask to wait longer x
They aren't necessary for an induction, no. Not at all. Also, you have to be at least a little dilated for them to do a sweep successfully - which at 38 weeks isn't super likely. Plus, if you're feeling uncomfortable with this midwife, you'll be tense and it'll probably be more uncomfortable than it would be if you could relax. I'd just try to stay positive that you mignt not need any of it - it's not your first baby so you might go into labour naturally on time 🤞 I've been offered a sweep at 38 weeks too as I'm attempting VBAC but I think it just causes me stress so I think I'm going to say no
@Paulina yes, with my youngest I had a sweep and immediately after my waters broke but no labour, I swear it was from the sweep and she was then born with sepsis! So I'd happily avoid them or being touched at all down there until absolutely necessary tbh! Thankyou so much for your advice though, i think I'll refuse the sweeps x
@Robyn yes, that's so true, I will definitely be tense and tbh it's anxiety/stress that I just don't think i need during pregnancy! Natural is definitely best unless intervention is needed i suppose xx
Could you go to another local community midwife? I had sweeps every other day to help before a previous induction (didn’t end up having because I went into labour with sweep 4) but I just went to different community midwives for mine as my personal one only did my 39 week appointment.
No i wouldn't like that at all 😅 so awkward. Do you actually want the sweeps/induction? You can just say no to either if youd prefer not to. I'm guessing you meant 38 weeks cos no-one is doing sweeps at 28 weeks. Also, why do they think your baby is big? They are often wrong about that so I'd take it with a pinch of salt anyway.