Inducement/sweep advice -:older mum

[Saminapatel]

Hi I'm going to be 41 in a few days and baby is due in 3 weeks.

Hospital don't want me to go over 40w due to maternal age. I don't really want a sweep as I had one with my daughter and its was horrendous and made me scream and bleed and don't want drip/induction as it can me an longer Labour and i have a medical condition and want my stay at hospital to be a short as poss.

With my daughter 4 years ago I had a 4hr vaginal birth with gas and air at 40 plus 1, very straight forward.

Any suggestions I'd rather be left to go a week over first and if still nothing then talk further with midwife

Ty 4 reading post

[anna0908]

It is your choice. They can't make you do anything. They should be giving you all the benefits and downsides of induction v waiting and let you make the decision. A few years ago they didn't routinely induce for maternal age but some research came out that changed most hospitals practise. Ask them more details about it so you can make an informed choice x

[roxannacar]

Agreed with above any procedure is your choice... however you might want to ask the health professionals looking after you as to the pros&cons to make an informed choice.

[Georgina_D]

I had 2 sweeps which were fine and I went into labour at 41+4 days. My waters were then broken by midwifeas I was 3cm dilated for ages. Breaking waters hurt so much!

Labour pains went from 0 to 100% in 2 hours. I was in so much pain and was not given epidural. The speed of progression was probably too much for my baby and her hear rate dropped. I had episiotomy and ventouse and still a 3rd degree tear as my baby was literally pulled out of me and my vagina probably didn't have enough time to stretch.

I'm 6 months postnatal and my stitches still hurt and I'm traumatised by my labour.

I would refuse the induction if I could go back in time and if they say baby needs to come out now or you have increased risk of still born in would insist on c section. Good luck whatever you decide x