question about sweeps

[starfish12]

I'm 39 weeks today and no twinges or anything to make me think baby will come anytime soon.

Can you request a sweep at 40 weeks or does there need to be a medical reason to have one?

Am clearly being impatient but wondered if the sweep was the stage before being induced at 40 + 11 and therefore whether you could have it sooner...?

If it's your first baby they generally offer at 40 and 41 weeks. It may not be possible/advisable depending on how low the baby is and what your cervix is like. Good luck!

hi starfish12 if its first baby they wont sweep you till 41 weeks but this might vary area to area though im on dc3 and been told i can have a sweep at 39 weeks if my body/cervix is ready i am booked for a home birth though id ask your midwife see what she says

It varies from area to area but most will say not before 40 weeks.

A sweep will only work if your body on the brink of going into labour anyway. For a sweep to be possible the MW has to be able to get her fingers through your cervix so it has to have started opening which is a sign your body is starting proceedings all by itself so while a sweep can bring things on a little faster it is not going to start things off if there is nothing going on.

Remember a normal, natural pregnancy is between 37 and 42 weeks so try not to get hung up on baby needing to come soon, you have plenty of time.

I requested a sweep on my 40 week appointment and the midwife was more than happy to give it a go. My cervix was still too high, so she couldn't actually do the sweep, so just be prepared as I was a little disappointed!! I'm back for my 41 week appointment tomorrow and the midwife will give a sweep another go, hopefully the cervix has come down a little!

Midwife did say that baby was fully engaged and ready to go. Guess its just my body playing catch up :)

Good luck x

I'm 40+2 and have had a sweep this morning as I asked about it. Midwife has told me I can go back Friday and Monday if they don't work (they have a drop in clinic in the morning). It may vary area to area, but no harm in asking.

My midwife offered me a sweep at my 40 week appt, was actually 39+5. As others said will only be able to do it if you are 'favourable' . I went into labour on the evening of my due date so 48 hours later - whether it was down to sweep I don't know! Good luck :)

Sweeps are offered from 39 weeks in my area. I was 39+4 I think when my MW tried to have a go but I was nowhere near favourable. I had another failed one a week later. However I do know people who've had successful sweeps (unless they were destined to give birth that day anyway!)

In your maternity notes do you have a page that tells you when all your MW appts are and what will happen at each one? IIRC the info re sweeps could be there.

I had a sweep at 40 weeks, second baby. I was already 2cm displayed with partly soft cervix but baby still high, it. Worked had my baby less than 48 hours later.

In my area the midwife won't be allowed until 40 weeks but you could ask for one sooner if you see a doctor. I asked at 39 and he tried but it was too early to do the sweep. Had two more after 40 weeks... none worked!