I've just had a sweep- she said i was 1 cm dialated and favourable? have no idea what this means

It wasn't bad- not too uncomfortable- I'll keep you posted on if it works- I'm 40 weeks due today!

I had an internal at 36+4 it doesnt matter how far you are they can still do them....
Different people have them with different circumstances !
They thought i was going into pre-term labour when i had mines, just felt uncomfortable tbh. I heard sweeps sore, hopefully not !

ActivityApple, no, they won't try to do anything to induce labour before 40 weeks unless it's medically necessary. Sorry! How are you coping in this heat?! Try curry, the hotter the better - worked for me both times (DS was 1 week late and DD was 1 week early).

I had internal 20 minuts before my DD2 birth

I'll be 39+3 tomorrow and have a MW appt, do you reckon it's worth asking her to do an impromptu sweep or is it not done until 40+?

(apologies for hijack btw eeyore, it's just that the prospect of another week of pg is filling me with gloom and I've already eaten all the pineapples in a 5 mile radius.. )

think they only do internals once you're in labour or due to see how far the cervix is dilated (you lie on bed like for smear test and the midwife/doctor puts their hand up to see if they can feel anything) - not painful if you're relaxed about it.
I had 3 sweeps and it's the same procedure, although because they're actually putting their fingers up further and moving them around it is more uncomfortable (made me feel like doing a wee), but if you're having one it probably means that your baby is overdue so you'll try anything to get labour started naturally rather than have to be induced. It definitely does work - combine with nipple twiddling for best effect!

That's right. And each time you need to give consent, and at no time in a normal, straightforward pregnancy or labour are they absolutely necessary for the health of you or your baby.

So be sure to ask for the purpose if one is suggested.

Thanks everyone. This is all really helpful. So seems like you very rarely have any internals until after 40 weeks or when you are in labour.

I had a sweep at 40+12 - It was horrendous (sorry if that's not you want to hear) I actually found labour pains more bearable. The internals that followed were just as bad.
xx

Just as an aside, you don't have to start having any form of internal anything at any point during your pregnancy or labour if you don't want to.

Different women will experience sweeps and internals in very different ways - possibly depending on the skill and sensitivity of the person doing it! If you're wary, make sure you understand exactly what will be gained by the procedure and how that will influence your care. It may be hospital policy to give labouring women an internal every 4 hours to ensure there is progress, but if you're happy with the way your labour is progressing then you may wish to decline them.

Whatever you decide, if you do find any procedure painful you can always use the Mary Cronk phrase of "Stop that at once!" in a very stern tone