So it's my due date today and I expected to be offered a sweep, given that the NHS website says first time mums should be offered sweeps at 40 and 41 weeks.
I'm not entirely clear about the reasons why it wasn't offered as the midwife had a strong accent and I couldn't catch everything she was saying. What I think she said was that midwives can only do sweeps once the 40th week has started, and she couldn't do one because I was exactly 40 weeks today?
If that's the case, I'll be really annoyed. My appointments are normally on a Monday (week + 2), so had I stuck to my normal schedule, I'd have been seen on Monday at 40+2 and presumably could have got a sweep. Howrverat my last appointment, my midwife specifically wanted it bang on my due date so it got bought forward to a Saturday. I don't understand why she would do this if I meant I wouldn't be able to be offered a sweep?
So now I won't be offered a sweep until next Saturday, when I'll be exactly 41 weeks. They also want to talk about induction next week, when I haven't even had a sweep yet. Feeling cheated and miserable 
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Pregnancy
40 week sweep
Lemondrop99 · 30/09/2017 11:06
Thanks for the reply Pasta 
I'm feeling a lot better now but I did sit and cry in the hospital car park!
I don't think it was anything to do with the position of the baby, from what I understood it seemed to literally be because I was there a day too early according to their policy (which frustrated me because it was the last midwife who moved my appointment forward!).
To be honest, I don't think baby is ready yet and I expect the sweep would have been unsuccessful, but I was still really upset that it wasn't an option. So I have no idea what state my cervix is in because they didn't even have a look.
It's a full moon on 5 October, and this was baby's original due date before the scan moved it forward. I have a gut feeling maybe that's the day?!
ah OP, don’t feel cheated, I had 4 sweeps and they didn’t do anything but hurt like heck. Good luck, it won’t be long now 
Well I rang my normal midwife today to see if she could explain what happened e.g. if there was a 40+1 policy or something. She didn't know what the problem was and said due date was fine, offered to check my records and speak with the midwife who saw me.
The other midwife then called me back, said it must have been crossed wires and she thought I didn't want one 
I think she's a big fibber as I literally cannot see how she possibly got that out of our conversation. I asked when can I have a sweep, and she mumbled something about midwives only being able to do it on certain days and I'd get one at my next (41 week) appointment. Hmmmmm.....
Anyway, she's offered to do one this afternoon. I was on the fence about it. It sounds uncomfortable an I don't really expect it to work. But I'm really keen to avoid induction so at least I'll know I tried.
Hi OP,
I had a one off high blood pressure reading at a midwife appointment when I was 39+2, and when I went to the hospital that day for a follow up blood pressure reading they gave me a sweep. Turns out I was already 2cm dilated and apparently they can hurt a wee bit if you're already in early labour (I'll admit, I did feel it lol). It really helped me along though and I had my daughter within 48 hours
How are you getting along?
Thanks all. Well I've been and it's all over. Actually it was absolutely fine. Bit weird, very very mildly uncomfortable but certainly didn't hurt at all. My cervix is midway and 1cm dilated, so my body is half thinking about possibly going into labour 
Starfish, I don't know how yours will be but mine wasn't anywhere near the trauma I was expecting! I told my midwife I was worried about it hurting and she was very gentle and said she would stop at any point if I wanted her too, so do tell your midwife how you're feeling. She also told me to relax the best I can and tilt my hips up, which may have helped.
I'm not really expecting it to kick start labour, but we'll see. You never know! If not I have a 41 week appointment on Saturday where they will do another sweep if I want and talk about induction dates.
Awww mummabubs, just saw your message and we cross posted. That sounds really frustrating for you . It seems silly to make you wait until your 40th week is almost over.
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@lemondrop99 I don't feel too bad now and on the road to recovery! I felt really sore for a few days after labour but luckily avoided stitches just grazed. It hurts to pee for a few days but passes quickly.
If you have time I recommend researching some mum and baby groups near you. My dp went back to work Friday and have found it really isolating. Should have made more effort to make mum friends near me earlier.
Good luck with it all
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