To sweep, or not to sweep, that is the question...

[WockComble]

To sweep, or not to sweep, that is the question:
Whether ?tis less uncomfy in the nether regions to suffer
The kicks and punches of a 40+ foetus,
Or to take fingers against a favourable cervix,
And by a rummage open it?

Or, in other words, considering my baby was due on 8 Dec and I?m now 6 days overdue, should I take my midwife up on her offer of a sweep on Monday, when I?ll be 41+2?

Thing is that I was induced with my first DC with a pessary and a rummage around after my waters broke (on my due date!) and I didn?t go into labour. The induction process was deeply unpleasant (although not as unpleasant as the contractions that swiftly followed) and I?m wondering if a straightforward sweep will be as uncomfortable? Also wondering how much difference the sweep actually makes to kick-starting labour ? won?t the baby come anyway when it?s ready?

Any advice/anecdotes/general encouragement much appreciated. Quite keen to have this baby before Xmas.

I had a sweep at 41 weeks with DS. He was still born at 42 weeks.

I'm a vbac this time round, so they're keen for dd to be born a bit sooner, so I had my first sweep yesterday at 37+6. She is already more engaged and cx more favourable! I think the real answer to your questions is- it depends on the pregnancy, unfortunately!

I will say my sweep with DS was awful, really painful. Last nights was practically a tickle by comparison, and yet I've had some show, and a few twinges. It might be all you need to start you off. I'm fairly sure I'm going to need at least the second sweep I'm booked for on Wednesday, but I am early in having them performed.

Omg and by still born I mean he was born a week later at 42 weeks, not the other connotation. God. Just realised how that could have read. SO sorry.

I had a sweep at 39+6, DD2 was born 12 hours later (but I'd also had one at 39 weeks exactly which had no effect at all - was 3-4cm at 39 weeks and 5cm and fully effaced at 39+6 so who knows if sweep played any part)

Fab intro op. NO Don't have a sweep is my opinion. I had one and was left really distressed and in a lot of pain. I think they only "work" if you are readdy anyway, in which case don't mess with nature, and if your cervix isn't gearing up for labour, then a sweep will hurt like all hell and be a waste of time. Read some Michele Odent, he is v against any intervention, it can disrupt the hormonal chain of labour.

Phew, Buntys - after reading your whole post I was pretty sure I knew what you meant but thanks for clarifying!
Thanks everyone for your thoughts/experiences. All v interesting.

Was discussing this with my midwife, who is amazing btw, and she said in her experience there's little point in a sweep before 41wks - they generally don't work - but once you get to this point even a seemingly unfavourable cervix can be 'encouraged'. I went a week over with my first and missed my planned sweep as was in labour! Am due tomorrow and imagine will prob also go a wk over - I would consider a sweep sooner as am v v uncomfortable with this pregnancy.

oh forgot to say, neither sweep was in the least bit painful just uncomfortable whilst it was being done

I said no to a sweep and had to be induced, which was horrific and ended in a section anyway.