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Original poster

Can I refuse a sweep.

28 replies

lookingfoxy · 22/02/2013 22:05

Im only 23 weeks just now but the last time I was pregnant, I had a sweep on the wednesday morning which started off my contractions, but I didn't deliver ds until the saturday night, by this time I was totally exhausted as the contractions just didn't stop and I hadn't had proper sleep for days.

Would it really make any difference if I refused a sweep this time round?

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MyNameIsAnAnagram · 22/02/2013 22:11

Yes of course you can refuse one.

LBsBongers · 22/02/2013 22:15

Yes you can, I did with dc3, MW asked why not I told her because it really hurts and I don't know of any example when it actually got things going, she said fair enough.

catlady1 · 22/02/2013 22:16

Yes, although they do say that having a sweep to start you off is much better than being induced, labour-wise and outcome-wise (as in you're more likely to have a section or an assisted delivery if you end up being induced). But of course you can refuse an induction too, don't let them make you feel like you don't have a choice in the matter

Queenie72 · 22/02/2013 22:19

Yep , I did and actually when I said to my mid wife I wasn't keen she said ' it is very painful and is no guarantee it will work so don't worry if you don't want to!' My gorgeous ds2 was born exactly 24 hours and 1 minute before I was due to be induced!

vamosbebe · 22/02/2013 22:27

Mine hurt like buggery and I bled a lot. Refuse, refuse, refuse.
Good luck

Granitetopping · 22/02/2013 22:34

You can refuse any procedure or any test. It's your body and your baby. I wish I know that when I had my DS. My midwife gave me a sweep without my consent.

LynetteScavo · 22/02/2013 22:37

Yes! I wouldn't have a sweep again (although I am very unlikely to ever need one, lol!) Not because it hurt, but because it just didn't work, and gave me mild period pains the next day.

inadreamworld · 22/02/2013 23:27

Of course you can refuse. But a sweep worked for me in 2nd pregnancy. Didn't have one with first baby. Midwife says more likely to work in 2nd and subsequent pregnancies. Of course maybe I was going to go into labour anyway......

scrumpkin · 22/02/2013 23:30

I had about 4 sweeps with my first and ended up being induced.not good.

With my 2nd hadd a sweep ad 10 days overdue and delivered that night.

I would take a sweep (or 10) above syntocin.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 22/02/2013 23:38

A sweep only "works" if you are about to go into labour naturally. So pretty pointless really.

You also able to refuse an induction.

Lionsntigersnbears · 23/02/2013 13:49

Yes of course you can. I had three, none worked, they didn't especially hurt but the bloody goo coming away confused matters and disguised the fact I had mecomium in the waters when I had to have ARM. That said a lot of people get really great results from them.

Original poster
lookingfoxy · 23/02/2013 14:56

Mixed results then, I didn't find the sweep painful itself, gah hope this one just comes on time and can avoid the issue altogether! !

OP posts:
Longdistance · 23/02/2013 15:01

I refused a sweep with dd2. Baby comes, when baby comes. Dd2 was 3 days late.

Dd1 was 3 days early, so no sweep offered, and I still would have said no.

MaMattoo · 23/02/2013 15:02

You can and you should. Proper pain avoided now can keep your spirits up for the real dealGrin waste of time, had 2 and then a week of agony, c sec eventually.

TheSkiingGardener · 23/02/2013 15:07

You can refuse anything you like, be that a sweep, or being induced. Don't let them do anything you don't want done!

CailinDana · 23/02/2013 15:19

This is relevant for me as I'm due to have a sweep next Wednesday if this baby doesn't get her boots on! I'm in two minds - with DS I was in slow labour for ages and going in to get checked sped things up fantastically. This time around I'm getting cramping and BHs a lot but no labour as such and I'm wondering if a sweep will just kick it over the edge. With any luck I'll have a baby in my arms by Wednesday but if not then I might consider it. Hmmm...

reikizen · 23/02/2013 15:36

It is very important to realise that you can refuse all interventions/treatment (I do tend to come down on the side of life saving procedures but have known of a Jehovah's Witness mother and baby who died as she declined a blood transfusion). Consent should be obtained and documented, don't just go along with something if you do not fully understand the risks and benefits - as a responsible adult I believe this is your responsibility as well as your care givers. Membrane sweeps are a really difficult one as NICE recommends them at 40 & 41 weeks for first time mums (primips) and 41 weeks for subsequent pregnancies (multips) however, we have no idea who would have gone into labour anyway without a sweep do we? I personally do not favour them for primips at 40 weeks as anecdotal evidence (as on this thread) seems to point to a long latent phase and subsequent exhaustion when 'true' labour starts. I'd agree to one at term+10 to do all I could to avoid induction but probably not before. Good luck.

inadreamworld · 23/02/2013 22:14

scrumpkin I agree would have 100 sweeps - no, 1000 rather than syntocinon drip! If we are lucky enough to have DC3 I would have a sweep again if overdue but would do anything to avoid that induction drip.

Original poster
lookingfoxy · 25/02/2013 07:45

Thanks everyone, I finally had ds at 40 + 8 so not massively overdue but was very knackered and scared as was first time.
If they don't do it till 41 weeks in 2nd pregnancy ive more chance of avoiding the issue this time round, i'll certainly refuse until 41 weeks anyway, certainly don't want to be induced as its painful enough!!
Mumsnet is so useful, I would never have questioned any of this before.

OP posts:
StarlightMcKenzie · 25/02/2013 09:10

I had a sweep without consent. I believe it led to a cascade of interventions that cause my ds' autism.

Why would you want to go into labour before your body is ready anyway? Apart from the risk of infection, risk of waters breaking etc. your baby could not yet be in an optimal position and your body may not have stocked up on the energy and hormones required to make it a smooth process.

With dc2 and 3 I refused a sweep. With dc3 it was a bit of a issue as I went 12 days overdue and the midwife didn't like it much, but she doesn't have the power of arrest, nor restraint so it was a bit tough really. (turned out she attended my birth and she was absolutely fab, I think mws can be really supportive once they get over the shock of someone doing things a bit differently).

Chunderella · 26/02/2013 22:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

StarlightMcKenzie · 26/02/2013 22:39

there is no statistical increase in risk until a pregnancy reaches 42 weeks and no significant risk until past 43 weeks

sky44 · 26/02/2013 22:49

Hi! I wonder how old the original poster is? The Royal College of Obstetricians are apparently considering inducing mothers of 40 years and above at 40 weeks, because of the increased risk of still birth in this age group, here is the link:

www.rcog.org.uk/news/rcog-release-induction-labour-older-mothers-may-reduce-risk-stillbirth-say-experts

I am not sure the above link directly goes against what the above poster said, but it does add another thing to think about (that certain groups appear at higher risk of still birth as the weeks go by towards 40 weeks)

sky44 · 26/02/2013 22:50

sorry by the "poster above" I meant StarlightMcKenzie, I couldn't get my computer screen to show me your name as I was typing