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Original poster

Why have a sweep?

23 replies

DuelingFanjo · 06/12/2010 12:55

Hi there

I am 39 +2 and have been reading that if my cervix is favourable I might be offered a sweep a week or so after 40 weeks. I feel fine and am in no hurry to get the baby out but I am 40 so wonder how early they may start talking about induction.

Presumably a sweep would be offered first, but are there any real reasons why I should have one?

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GetDownYouWillFall · 06/12/2010 12:59

Did you mean to put this in "Pregnancy"?

broodycoilsout · 06/12/2010 13:10

hi,
with our 1st i had 3 or 4 sweeps, i think 3, by 2 different midwives. for me it made no difference at all, she was born several days after the final sweep- 8 days overdue.
though it is meant 2 get things started for some ppl

good luck

Original poster
DuelingFanjo · 06/12/2010 13:19

OH shit, sorry. Yes I did mean for it to be in Pregnancy.

I'll see if I can get it moved. Massive apologies.

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Original poster
DuelingFanjo · 06/12/2010 13:47

Thak you for moving mumsnetHQ :)

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StarlightMcKenzie · 06/12/2010 13:54

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StarlightMcKenzie · 06/12/2010 13:55

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Original poster
DuelingFanjo · 06/12/2010 14:11

I am having some Pre-MIL visit/being forced to attend Christmas dinner with a newborn nerves. Wink I don't want to encourage this baby out too soon.

Am definitely going to refuse an induction so long as it's healthy to do so, but I read so much about people having sweeps as a matter of course I don't want one sprung on me.

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StarlightMcKenzie · 06/12/2010 14:35

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muslimah28 · 06/12/2010 15:42

Agree with what starlightmckenzie says on sweeps and on expectant management. Only benefit to me of the sweep i had- which is good in itself- is that it got me used to what to expect from the internal examinations which i was very nervous about. So i dont think its a bad thing but i justdont think its clear it brings on labour!

mousesma · 06/12/2010 15:47

I had 4 sweeps when I was overdue with DD none of them worked. They will certainly not be able to "spring" a sweep on you if you don't want one though. :)

darleneconnor · 06/12/2010 15:53

Just have sex instead!

Original poster
DuelingFanjo · 06/12/2010 16:08

Just got back from midwife and she says I won't be seen now until 20th (EDD is 11th) and I will be offered a Sweep then but I did say to her I may decide not to. She was chilled about it. I would love it if the baby stayed in until 20th to be honest. Of course, anything could happen between now and then.

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StarlightMcKenzie · 06/12/2010 16:45

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Original poster
DuelingFanjo · 06/12/2010 17:17

Apparently they will need to do an examination - though I guess I can refuse that if I like - but they won't do a sweep unless I want one :) It'll be a different midwife, and a home visit.

I guess I have read so much about pushy housewives and also about people who are desparate to have a sweep, even at 38 weeks, that I got a bit scared Grin

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StarlightMcKenzie · 06/12/2010 17:22

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Samvet · 06/12/2010 17:26

I think sweeps only really work if everything is ready as they cause prostaglandin release. Depends if you want baby out. I was 11 days over and had alot of pelvic pain so wanted him out - had a sweep and 12 hours later went into labour, was due to be induced the next day. So I had it to see if things would crack on and I could avoid induction.

Original poster
DuelingFanjo · 06/12/2010 17:39

Ah - ok. I hope they don't try to do one by stealth! I thought mabey they might be checking to see if my cervix is favourable but then I suppose if I decide I don't want a sweep then there's no reason to know if it's favourable?

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StarlightMcKenzie · 06/12/2010 17:40

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darleneconnor · 06/12/2010 18:41

'pushy housewives...desperate to have a sleep' lol Wink

at this stage an 'examination' is just code for 'sweep'

darleneconnor · 06/12/2010 18:42

obv I meant 'sweep' Grin

thefatladyscreams · 08/12/2010 13:01

Dueling - just had my first at 41. Saw a consultant just before my due date and they wanted to do a sweep as a matter of course. I refused and was so glad I did so as had great natural labour 1 week later when my body was ready.

Can understand that some people want a sweep as they are keen to kick things off but if you're quite happy to wait, I don't see the need for one at this stage.

carlyvita · 11/12/2010 17:41

like your attitude StarlightMcKenzie!

This NHS anxiety about when a baby should arrive is totally nuerotic and unhelpful and based generally on badly colated evidence and bad practice. In my opinion.

Humph.

broodycoilsout · 12/12/2010 11:22

hi again, reading this i couldnt believe that a midwife might 'spring' a sweep on anyone, but upon reading this today i remembered one of the sweeps i had
i was in hospital on my due date with a water infection (dont get me started on that 1-id told them what was wrong with me and ignored til i needed hospital stay), dd's heartrate was fast.
midwife at the hospital said she wanted to check if i was dilating as according to the thing i was hooked up 2 i was having contractions. while she was down there she said
"i've just done a sweep..."

perhaps before 'examination' let her know you really dont want 1

on the positive side, my usual midwife did ask me before doing each sweep

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