Can you help me decide whether to have a stretch and sweep tomorrow?

[plasticspoon]

I am torn between feeling that the baby will be along when he's ready (no signs of that yet!) and thinking that the S&S would be the lesser of two evils if it worked (ie preferable to induction). I am 41 weeks tomorrow and mw wants to do a S&S then.

What are the benefits/risks of a sweep? Is it even possible if the cervix is very posterior? The couple of times I've had a search I can't reach it!

She also mentioned booking me in for induction at 42 weeks but I would prefer to wait and be monitored. Problem is that most of my assertiveness is in my head!

Hmm, and if anyone knows of any recent research into the risks of prolonged pregnancy in different populations, please do point me in the right direction. I was quite disappointed looking at the NICE induction guidelines how little research has been done into this question!

not research as such but this is interesting.

i agree, i personally would go for daily monitoring next time having been induced before.

i think sweeps don't really do much but i'm glad i had one as it helped lower my anxiety about the internal examinations as part of induction and labour.

Sweeps will only work if your body is ready to go, so some would ask 'are they worth it?'

However, if having a sweep could possibly start things off and thus keep away the consultants blethering about induction, then yes I would probably have one.

I did have one with ds1 and my cervix was very posterior, so it was very painful. Sooo, if I were to have another I would ask the MW to assess my cervix prior to sweeping, then I'd make a decision from there.

Speak to the MW and ask her what options there are regarding monitoring, then make your decision.

Good luck

I had a sweep in the morning at 40w with DD2. Midwife said my cervix was not ripe and thought it would still be several days but I started contracting that afternoon and she was born the next morning - great labour. Even if it won't work for you, there is no harm trying I would say, it's a little bit uncomfortable but over quickly. Good luck!

I had a sweep and went into labour that night.

The placenta works less well if it's 'post mature', so I think you're better off getting things moving.

A good sweep hurts like hell, but it's very quick.

Second baby came early, but if she had been overdue I would have had a sweep again.

My sweeps weren't hugely painful, just quite uncomfortable.

First sweep 40 + 6 followed by some show.

Second sweep 40 + 8, contractions started a few hours later and then came a baby.

As for monitoring after 42 weeks, remember that monitoring can't pick up everything that might go wrong and that the risk of stillbirth does go up (even after 41 weeks) the longer you go so it is important to think through all the risks of waiting as well as the risks of induction.

If I get pregnant and am overdue again, I'll happily have a sweep.

Hmm, only time will tell but this might be a moot point now as I've started having fairly regular contractions...fingers crossed they don't fade away again.

Bloomin' heck they do smart though . Loving the TENs machine but a bit scared about how painful things are likely to get!

Good luck plasticspoon!

Let us know how you get on!