Can you have a VE but no sweep?

[rollerbaby]

I'm due to have my 41 week appointment tomorrow (Was due on Sunday) and I know they will offer me a sweep. I don;t really want one, but I do want them to have a look and see if the cervix has begun to look ripe, or whatever the term is!

My doula seems to think they won't do a VE without permission to do a sweep which seems odd as people often don't get sweeps when their cervix is closed etc from reading posts on here.

Does anyone have any experience of this? Should I go for the sweep? What problems might there be if I do? I guess it's a form of induction but presumably better than drip and pessary options later on.

No you do not have to have a sweep, but they can do a quick feel if you want to see if anything is changing. You could even do it yourself

Sweeps can be very effective at starting labour off, if that's what you want. You can also have more than one sweep. If you go down the medical induction route, you will have a higher level of intervention ie continuous monitoring, a time frame for how far you must progress per hour etc. Not to mention the cascade of intervention...

But in all cases, induction is totally your choice, so go with what feels right for you.

I'm sure you will soon start to feel a bit pressurised into doing something soon though, so be strong with what you want.

Recent evidence is that one sweep makes no difference to preventing a prolonged pregnancy! It is ENTIRELY your choice as you have to consent to anything however be warned that some people will do a sweep without your consent as they think they know what is in your best interest - so although you've only consented to a VE, the sweep will be done regardless.

Frankly a sweep is a rough VE, that's what I got. Tbh I'd either go for it or leave it completely.

I did though get an infection after my 'VE' plus was still induced at +14. IT's personal choice but I hated it. Weirdly in labour I don't care if the world and their friend checks me out down there but otherwise they can leave me well alone!