To me, if they are suggesting the stretch and sweep, it feels like they think my body won’t go into labour spontaneously or naturally, and it would make me question myself about why they think my body won’t do what it is meant to do. QUESTION: Personally, I would question your care provider further to make sure you feel totally comfortable in going ahead with this. (Apparently, eggplant and goji berries also have prostaglandins and they are absorbed orally through the membranes in your mouth!) So perhaps, if you have access to sperm and a partner willing to help *wink wink* #justsaying, you may prefer this to someone’s hand? And, remember there is no guarantee it will work, and it may just cause you discomfort, pain or false hopeįACT: Sperm contains natural prostaglandins that can help to soften the cervix. If you’ve simply had enough of being pregnant and want to try everything possible to get things going (and you’ve exhausted my list of natural induction methods – see blog post here), then give it a shot before going for other more invasive optionsġ0. If you’re already say 41 weeks and trying to avoid a medical induction, while this is still an intervention, it is unmedicated (ie no drugs) and usually doesn’t require a next step to commence the cascade of intervention that could follow, and you can usually go home straight afterwardsĩ. Someone is sticking their hands up your vagina and it probably isn’t necessaryĨ. Which may make you doubt yourself and feel like your body isn’t working if it doesn’t bring on labourħ. It may get your hopes up that you will go into labour and you don’tĦ. While rare, it’s possible they may even accidentally rupture your membranes which could introduce infectionĥ. It may cause pain, discomfort, irregular contractions and/or bleedingĤ. So, here are my personal thoughts as a Doula around a stretch and sweep:ģ. “To avoid one formal induction of labour, sweeping of membranes must be performed in seven women.“ When used as a means for induction of labour, the reduction in the use of more formal methods of induction needs to be balanced against women's discomfort and other adverse effects." "Routine use of sweeping of membranes from 38 weeks of pregnancy onwards does not seem to produce clinically important benefits. The Cochrane review (linked below) states: This separation should release hormones (prostaglandins) which can increase the chances of labour starting within the next 48 hours If possible, they will then move their finger around the cervix and try to sweep the area around the amniotic membranes (your waters at the lower end of the womb)Ĥ. They will then try to insert one finger into your cervix to stretch it to be wider and more open in the hope that this stimulation may be enough to start the softening and ripening of your cervixģ. The midwife or obstetrician will put gloves on (hopefully sterile), and insert their hand into your vagina (an internal examination)Ģ. Please note that while there are no drugs included, it is definitely a form of intervention. Perhaps you’re unsure if you want to consent to this or decline it – or maybe you didn’t know you had the choice? That’s OK! It can be common to feel some pressure to do this and it’s often presented as a “simple procedure” or a “natural” thing to do… ie, there are no drugs. Hopefully they discussed the process itself, plus the benefits and risks associated with this procedure, and have allowed you time to reflect, consider, research and decide if you’re happy to go ahead with it. It would likely be the first step your Midwife or Obstetrician will offer before suggesting other forms of induction, to help bring on labour and avoid going “overdue”. If you’re reading this blog, you’re probably more than 37 weeks pregnant and your care provider has suggested a Stretch and Sweep.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |