Can I ask for a sweep, and how?

[dairymoo]

I am due on Saturday and am desperate to get this baby out. I've been getting twinges for about 3 weeks now and really, really don't want to face induction.

This is DC3 (after DTs born at 35 weeks, so I already feel very overdue!) and I saw the local MW last Wed and then have an appt with the MW at my hospital next Wed, when I will be 40+4.

My question is whether I could go into hospital on Saturday and ask for a sweep if nothing has happened by then? Would I go to the Day Assessment Unit or somewhere else?

TIA

From recent experience midwives can't give you a sweep until you are full term i.e on your due date or after. Before that has to be via consultant appt (in my PCT anyway). I had a sweep in the morning on my due date a couple of weeks ago in the antenatal day unit/day assessment unit and my waters broke at 4pm, baby born later that night - was very pleased!

However, I had been in for a growth scan on my due date and they sent me to the antenatal day unit/day assessment unit that day as there was something they weren't happy with and they were threatening induction so the midwife offered to give me a sweep. Whether you can just rock up there on your due date with no particular issues and get one done I don't know?

Other option I think would be to reschedule your term modwife appt for the monday after your saturday due date and get them to do one?

Not sure if it is area specific, but the policy here is that they will not do a sweep until you are 7 days overdue. You then have your sweep and get given an induction date.

If you really don't want to be induced you could see what happens after your sweep, and then opt for close observation (can't remember what it's called - something management).

Good luck - at least the end is in sight!

I would say just be patient, your baby will come when it's ready. You won't be facing induction until you're well overdue or if there's an issue. I would imagine your MW would give you a sweep anyway next Weds if nothing's happened by then.

I have 2 DC's, both born 40+13! (A day before booked induction both times!) I had multiple sweeps with both and nothing happened. They both came when they were ready and were both just shy of 7lb so needed that extra 'cooking'!

I know it can get frustrating at the end but after 9 months, a few days won't hurt :)

Expectant Management

If no issues they will let you go a good week over before thretening induction and you can ask for expectant managemnet for as long as possible - regular scans to make sure placenta still ok and baby happy where it is.

Go ask your other half to don a marigold and to rummage vigorously around in your vagina as though looking for a lost sock stuck to the side of the washing machine while under the influence of crack cocaine.Job done.

hellymelly

Thanks all - had a show this morning, and am having increasingly strong BH and back ache so am hoping that things are moving in the right direction and I won;t need one after all.

I will be seeing MW at 40+3 and was told I could have sweeps any time from then onwards if I wanted, with 12 days till induction.

Interesting! I have just come back from mw having had a sweep at 39 weeks. VBAC though and the vibe from the mw's here (if not the drs) is to try a few sweeps to get things moving before chemical induction/elcs is an option.