40 weeks question...

[Chasabeth]

Hi guys,

I'm 38+5 at the moment and I have recently moved doctors surgeries and have a new midwife. At my last appointment at 37+6 I was chatting to her saying that I'm uncomfortable and really don't want to go too far over or be induced and she offered me a sweep at my next midwife appointment on my due date, 9th July so 40 weeks at my doctors surgery.

I was wondering if anyone else had been offered this or if this is normal practice? At the time of my appointment my little one was 3/5 engaged so nearly there & I've been keeping up with my usual routine of an hours dog walking a day to help move things along (hopefully!). I thought a sweep was only offered if you are overdue, or if there are issues & I know it doesn't always work, only really when your cervix is soft. As this is my first I just have a feeling he's going to be late & I'm getting a tad fed up with everyone pointing this out to me!

Is it worth doing to help move things along if possible or shall I let things happen?

I was offered a sweep at 39 weeks, I wasn't huge but was fed up, suffered bad nausea the whole way through. I had 2 sweeps and nothing happened! Still went 10 days overdue :-(

So try the sweeps! It's worth a go, little one will still come if they're ready to. Good Luck! Xxx

I was offered this too. It didn't really work though, cervix was closed. Still waiting, 41 weeks today and trying another sweep tomorrow.

Thanks guys, I think I will try it, hopefully it might work but as you said, only if they are ready to put in an appearance

I would, personally, steer clear of sweeps unless you have signs (like patchy contractions or a show) that things are getting ready. They have limited scientific support and there are suggestions that they can set off a looooong latent phase.

That's interesting to know, I never knew could delay things. My midwife never mentioned anything so I think I'll ask her about it before hand - thanks for the heads up