Aibu to ask for a stretch and sweep at next mw app

[Heartburn888]

By the time my next midwife app comes around I’ll be 38+4

Am I allowed to ask for a stretch and sweep at this app? First timer so not sure if I have to wait until 40 plus weeks or if I can ask to see if things can get started

You can ask but, in my experience, it would be unlikely before 40 weeks.

Why would you want one so early? I’d be very surprised if they did it.

I was always told not until 40 weeks. Why do you want it earlier?

I asked today at 38 weeks and being induced at 39 weeks. They said no as a doctor has to sign it off and my consultant hadn't documented it. If you're going into hospital and under consultant care then ask them to contact them to agree the sweep. That's my plan for Thursday. Otherwise I believe you have to wait until your due date.

I avoided them, apparently they hurt, and the baby will pretty much come when it’s ready regardless. Each to his own but do some research decide if you actually want it. Both mine were 4 days over but arrived ‘spontaneously’ although it’s possible the clary sage, curry, pineapple, sex, bouncing on the excercise ball, hot baths and long walks might (or might not) have made any difference.

Good luck and enjoy this lovely cuddles - by 38 weeks the end is most definitely in sight!

Why would you want one?

I can see why some women might be desperate to try and kick things off if they're over due but at not even 39 weeks?

I have read online that they may do it when the baby is full term which is 37 weeks but this advice was posted a few years back so not sure on what the current procedure is.

I’m painfully uncomfortable.

They wont give you one until after 40 weeks. In my experience anyway. I had 3 sweeps and still went to 42 weeks plus anyway.

Why do you want baby to come early?

Wouldn't say it hurt - more uncomfortable for me more like - for me anyway.

😣😣😣😣

40 weeks here. Even when I was 39+6 it was booked for my next appointment.

There’s no harm in asking, in my trust they’ve started offering them at 39 weeks so depends on what your local guidelines are

Things that made me feel better when heavily pregnant; (I went 8 days over with an 8lb12oz baby and I have a short torso )
Sitting under a shower was very soothing, more so than lying in the bath.
Wearing soft, loose clothing.
Sitting on birthing ball but having my back braced against DH legs as he sat behind me (good for shoulder rubs)
Having a foot massage.
I needed a much softer surface to sleep on a that stage too - try a spare duvet over your mattress.
Giving the baby more space by doing stretches, inching my fingers up a wall to create more space really helped my sore ribs.
Getting engrossed in a good tv series.
Going for slow walks.

I think they will only do it before 40 weeks if they are trying to avoid an induction for another reason e.g. high blood pressure. Your cervix is unlikely to be favourable at that point. I felt with both of my children that the sweep pushed me over the edge into labour but it was at 41 weeks after a failed sweep when my body was almost there and just needed a final push.

I feel for you though, those final weeks are tough!

Unless you are being induced for some reason and a doctor has signed it off they will not offer one before 40 weeks. At 40 weeks they should give you one if you ask.

I’m at the stage where I’m hoping and praying it starts soon.

I guess I can ask her and see what she says. I didn’t know guidelines were different for different areas, I thought it was an across the board type of thing

*Why would you want one?

I can see why some women might be desperate to try and kick things off if they're over due but at not even 39 weeks?*

As someone who was sick at least once for every single day for the whole of my first pregnancy, I was so desperate for her to come once I was at ”full term” (37 weeks).

Bold fail, but I was quoting PP there.

My midwife gave me a sweep when I asked towards the end of 38 weeks, and another at 39 (that one was painful and actually worked). You may as well ask, this was 3 years ago

@AllTheWhoresOfMalta but there's very little evidence of them actually doing anything, especially at that stage of pregnancy. I didn't word my response well tbf. I just meant there's no point. It could be painful too.

Sickness is awful, thankfully I only had it for the first half.

I saw my MW last week and she told me they can now offer a sweep from 38 weeks which has changed since I had my first (2 years ago) when it was from 40 weeks. I don't know if it varies between areas though, looking at other responses this doesn't seem to be the norm

You'll need to find out your local guidelines.
With my first we knew he was big 9lb4 (I'm only 5ft) so midwife didn't want me going to 42 weeks she booked me in for 40 weeks earliest she was able - I had him 2 days before.

She’s not mentioned that mine is above average size or weight so it might just be a case of I have to grin and bear it.

Am I able to find out the guidelines online?

I’ve had a look on my Online maternity notes portal thing and it doesn’t say anything in there

No they won't.

Look up NICE antenatal guidelines.

If you want one, ask, but unless you’re ready to labour and birth a sweep will do nothing. 14% of women will go into labour with 48h of having one, which isn’t great odds. May also be disheartening if the neck of the womb is closed/far back and she can’t do one.

It’s so annoying to hear but get walking, get on a birth ball, look at spinning babies website to help baby get in a good position - your baby will come when they’re ready!

Good luck! ❤️