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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

When is the earliest a MW will do a sweep?

57 replies

babyperks · 03/01/2013 23:47

I've had SPD since I was 28w pg, but the last 3/4 weeks have been horrendous as baby's head has been engaging (I'm now 40w pg). I am in constant pain, whether sitting, standing, lying down and even on my yoga ball. Everything I try to ease it just doesn't work.

So I was wondering if a MW would be happy to perform a sweep, as I know they don't like to do them until at least 41w? I am already booked in for one for next Wednesday, but I don't think I can cope with this discomfort for much longer!

Any advice or experience would be highly appreciated.

Thanks Grin

OP posts:
memphis83 · 03/01/2013 23:50

Our mw will do them at 40+5. Could you call and explain and hope they will probably bring it forward?

Original poster
babyperks · 03/01/2013 23:58

I was going to call tomorrow but wanted to see what kind of response I got first. I'm praying they will give me one, fingers crossed!
Thanks for the reply Smile

OP posts:
cassell · 03/01/2013 23:58

My mw refused to even b

cassell · 04/01/2013 00:00

Sorry - stupid phone - my mw refused to even book me an appt or to examine me until I was at least 41wks. Luckily I had ds2 at 39wks so didn't need it. I also had bad SPD and she was totally unsympathetic and just told me to have sex and drive fast over speed bumps Hmm Hope yours is more sympathetic.

Original poster
babyperks · 04/01/2013 00:05

Oh god, I really don't like unsympathetic MWs! Well I've literally tried everything I can think of to get things moving but nothing is working. (Apart from sex as OH can't bring himself too and I'm worried I'll regret it afterwards with the SPD pains!) Thanks for your reply though, I'm going to try my hardest, after all, you don't ask you don't get! Wish me luck!

OP posts:
eagleray · 04/01/2013 00:06

Really sorry you are in so much pain. I have no idea what policies are on sweeps, but have been recommended to have one at 38w+. Just so happens I am 38w tomorrow and have a MW appt in the morning and so think she may attempt to do one then.

I have no health issues or discomfort, but am 41 and wanting a homebirth so hoping to encourage baby to come out before the recommended induction just past 40 weeks.

Common sense tells me that they would try one at 40w (but am no expert!). Good luck with requesting and hope it does the trick.

Bibblebobbleparsnip · 04/01/2013 00:09

I had one at 39+6 and another at 40+2... DD (DC3) was born 40+3.... But I'd had a chat with my MW team as DH was unavoidably going away 2 wks after due date... Hope they're sympathetic- SPD can be hideous Sad

Original poster
babyperks · 04/01/2013 00:12

Wow, I've never heard of one being done that early before! I think they may give me one on Monday, but I don't think I'll be lucky enough to get one for tomorrow. But at least I'll only have the weekend to get through instead of 5 days, but then that's if it even works!
Thank you, I hope yours does the trick too! I'll post tomorrow to let you know if I have succeeded! Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
babyperks · 04/01/2013 00:15

Thanks bibble, that gives me some comfort that I may get one. And only two attempts isn't bad going either! I hope I'll be as lucky as that!

OP posts:
brettgirl2 · 04/01/2013 06:49

I had one at 39+4. It depends on the midwife, it said in my notes specifically that it was requested by me. I was offered one by a different midwife at 37+4!!

rosamarina · 04/01/2013 08:19

Mine is offering to do one at the appointment I have at 40+3, if I haven't had the baby by then. I don't need it for anything, there's no rush to get the baby out, so I might not take her up on it, but she seems perfectly happy to do it.

mayhew · 04/01/2013 09:08

our local policy is from 40 weeks for 1st baby, 41 from 2nd. I think on the grounds that 1st is more likely to risk IOL for postdates. On that basis I will do it for a second baby at 40 weeks if mother wants.

some of our consultants try to get us to them from 38 for vbacs, mothers over 40 etc. i think that is selling false hope, because its only effective of you are almost ready to labour anyway (and not always then?.). I don't think its likely to achieve more than prayer!

Gingerbreadlatte · 04/01/2013 09:08

I had one at 39+2 which didn't work again at 39+6 which most definitely worked and Dd2 was born on her due date. Grin

Mine was under guidance of consultant who didn't want baby to get any bigger as first Dd was nearly 11lbs. The second one was nearly 10 so glad I didn't go over !

Pascha · 04/01/2013 09:12

I'm 40+5 and MW is giving me one today. She did offer to come any day from 40 weeks to do it but today suited me.

Original poster
babyperks · 04/01/2013 10:18

Thank you all for your replies, just waiting for a call back from MW.

Mayhew: I have been contracting on and off all week, so much so that Tuesday night I seriously thought things were happening but they stopped. I have been in early labour for the last couple of weeks and been getting a lot of bad period pains since 36w pg. I think baby is pretty much ready, its just waiting for the right time!

Hopefully they're not too busy so I'm not waiting too long for a reply. Fingers crossed! Smile

OP posts:
clickingtock · 04/01/2013 10:32

Good luck, I hope it happens soon for you, the SPD sounds v tough. ThanksThanksThanks

SurroundedByBlue · 04/01/2013 10:38

We are offered one at our 40 week appointment where I live. But, I've booked one for 39 weeks this time as I want to try and avoid going overdue. I can reach my own cervix Shock and have been tempted to have a fiddle when I get to 39 weeks but don't think I'd be brave enough.

eagleray · 04/01/2013 11:20

Just back from MW appt - no sweep today as still too early. Next appt is on 9/1 when I will be 38+5 and they will do one then if appropriate.

Good luck for getting yours Babyperks

Definitely Shock Surrounded! I wouldn't know where to start with my cervix!

EwanHoozami · 04/01/2013 11:25

I begged MW for a sweep from around 38 weeks. She stretched (arf) the rules for me to do one on my due date instead of the regulation 41w.

That was also due to SPD and you have my heartfelt sympathy.

Didn't work, mind. Two sweeps later DS2 arrived at 41+4

Original poster
babyperks · 04/01/2013 11:45

Surrounded: I wouldn't even know where to start with feeling my cervix! Ha I'd be too nervous to go any where near it! Plus I don't think I would be able to reach, just wiping myself after a wee becomes a challenge (sorry for tmi!)

SPD is very tough, its getting worse everyday. I find it so hard to walk its ridiculous! Still waiting for a call back so I'm hoping they don't take too much longer! I would pay to know what it feels like to be comfy again! :(

Thank you all for your advice and experiences Grin

OP posts:
allchik · 04/01/2013 11:45

My MW said there is no point unless baby is fully engaged? If bub is engaged mine does it from 40...
Im 39.5 but only 4/5 engaged so no point yet x x

Original poster
babyperks · 04/01/2013 12:15

I think I am fully engaged, hence why SPD has got a hell of a lot worse.

OP posts:
zzzzz · 04/01/2013 12:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Panzee · 04/01/2013 12:32

My consultant is offering one at 39+ 4.

SurroundedByBlue · 04/01/2013 13:26

I can only reach it if I'm sat on the toilet. It seems very low down (after 4 pregnancies I'm not surprised, I'm half expecting it to fall out!) I have a very small bump though so don't have to stretch to far - I'm 36 weeks now maybe I will get huge all of a sudden. It feels squishy and flat with a hole in the middle - feels like a huge hole but I don't think it is really. Then I got scared and stopped poking around Grin Blush