can I request a stretch & sweep at 40 weeks?

[wintersnow]

With DD1 & DS2 (Ds was 2 yrs ago) I was given a stretch and sweep on my due date as I'd been in stop start labour for a week. This time round they have said they won't do it until 41 weeks. I'm due tomorrow and had a lot of pain due to sciatica & general aches in my hips which have made it hard to walk, I also tore quite badly with both other DC's and don't want the baby getting too big if I go overdue by a week as chances are he'll be bigger anyway.... Has anyone had a stretch & sweep at 40 weeks recently?

No, I requested one at 40 weeks due to the fact I was moving abroad imminently but they wouldn't budge...had to play by the rules and had one at 41 weeks!

Guess it might be MW dependent though? Def worth asking the question.

Good luck!

Hi, I asked for one at my final midwife appointment - when I was 39+5 the midwife agreed but it was unsuccessful as my cervix was too posterior. I was then offered (and accepted) sweeps at the post dates clinic at 40+3 and 40+5. This was a couple of weeks ago - DS is 9 days old. Think the 2nd sweep was successful as went into labour the next evening.
good luck

I had one at 40+1 - depends on the MW I think.x

I was refused one at 40+1 . Didn't matter anyway as I went into labour that night!

I had one at 40 weeks on the dot!

My previous two Dc were born at 38 weeks, so by 40 weeks I was desperate! My bump was absolutely huge, I could barely walk anymore, in agony with SPD, so my MW agreed, Ds was born later that night, weighing 10lb 10oz! No wonder I was so uncomfortable!

I would ask!

You can ask. I think it will depend on how your cervix is too. I think they do it at 41 weeks as your cervix is more likely to be soft enough at that stage to do it properly.

I was offered a SS yesterday without requesting one, OB checked the position of my cervix and was soft and a little long. 39+5, due back next week if no action since. I had heard that they don't normally offer them until 41 weeks, but quite ready to get this LO out now. SPD and Sciatica is achey.