induction scheduled- need random advice - Page 2

[katelove]

Originally Posted by BananaBreadGirl

My doctor said he sometimes ruptures the membranes if things need to be sped along but doesn't do it to start labor. Not sure why. So it would be a pitocin induction.

Probably because if you didn't go into labour you then have the issue of premature ROM to worry about as well.

In regards to the placental insuffuciency, is your doctor just basing this on your size for dates? That is a pretty big leap IMO. Has he suggested doppler studies?

[BananaBreadGirl]

Originally Posted by rivkah

I would ask again about the membrane sweep. It is not a foolproof method by any means, but it could very well work (worked for me at similar stage), and it is about 5 minutes of discomfort versus a possibly painful induction. The worst thing that can happen is that it doesn't work.

Can't believe I'm saying this and hope I am SO anonymous here, but I tried sweeping my own membranes. I was very careful/gentle, clean hands, etc. I could only reach to do halfway around, though. I had two fingertips (maybe up to the first joint) over the top of the cervix and slid them around inside the posterior side of the uterus. Don't know if it would be possible to reach a whole 360 degrees myself or how far into the uterus a doctor/midwife would go. So, maybe it wasn't enough to do anything, but it was interesting to feel the baby's head.

Now having slightly crampy feeling contractions (but mostly painless) about 10 minutes apart, but that's been happening for about the last 3 days anyway.

[BananaBreadGirl]

Originally Posted by katelove

Probably because if you didn't go into labour you then have the issue of premature ROM to worry about as well.

In regards to the placental insuffuciency, is your doctor just basing this on your size for dates? That is a pretty big leap IMO. Has he suggested doppler studies?

He is basing it on the lack of increase in the size over the last 4-5 weeks (not necessarily just the small number, but the lack of increase, which several people/sources have pointed out to me could me nothing). I had an ultrasound of the baby as part of a biophysical profile, but I'm assuming a doppler study would look more at the blood flow to the placenta?

[Ianthe]

Originally Posted by BananaBreadGirl

Can't believe I'm saying this and hope I am SO anonymous here, but I tried sweeping my own membranes. I was very careful/gentle, clean hands, etc. I could only reach to do halfway around, though. I had two fingertips (maybe up to the first joint) over the top of the cervix and slid them around inside the posterior side of the uterus. Don't know if it would be possible to reach a whole 360 degrees myself or how far into the uterus a doctor/midwife would go. So, maybe it wasn't enough to do anything, but it was interesting to feel the baby's head.

Now having slightly crampy feeling contractions (but mostly painless) about 10 minutes apart, but that's been happening for about the last 3 days anyway.

I don't think that is too weird.. there are lots of mamas here that check themselves.

Good Luck! Have you asked your Dr. if they will do a sweep for you?