41 +1 To sweep or not to sweep?

[Lumptysmum]

Due at midwife's this afternoon for stretch and sweep. Never had one before as both previous DS's were early. Opinion seems to be divided from what I've seen here and I'm thinking of declining her kind offer! I've had really strong BH on and off for just over a week, so something must be happening but if he's not ready to make an appearance yet, then he's not ready. Can I refuse?
Ps. Should probably add I'm terrified. Last time I gave birth was nearly 15 years ago...

You don't have to have it done, and it will only work if baby is ready to come out anyway. I have had it done with 4dc and it only worked for 1 of them. It's a bit uncomfortable but not painful

Od dear. I remember visiting my consultant and her offering me one, to which I was happy to have done (first pregnancy, no naive)! When a nurse then appeared to 'hold my hand', I soon regretted it! In all honesty is isn't so bad, a little scary suddenly bleeding and catching a bus home.. it depends on whether you want to speed things up? I'm positive that you can decline! Do what you feel is right. Good luck with the labour xx

I had one in my last pregnancy, it was so painful that I cried all the way home. And it didn't work! I'm going to decline this time round. It's entirely up to you, if you're already 'favourable' then it can speed things up but if not then it won't help at all.

Totally up to you op! I had 2 fairly vigorous sweeps because my waters broke and I didn't go into labour on my own. I do think they helped things along and I went into labour fairly quickly after the second one. Yes it was uncomfortable, but I've had an internal examination before and it wasn't any worse than that or than what I was expecting.
Good luck whatever you decide!

Thanks for your replies ladies. I didn't have one in the end. In fact midwife was in such a fluster at being half an hour late to the appointment, she mentioned it at the beginning and then forgot I think. I just kept quiet and she didn't mention it again. I've had a bit of a show this morning anyway so fingers crossed it's starting to happen!

I ha one at 40+7 for the same reason as PP - I didn't want to be induced. Had it about 10am on the Thursday morning and it was just like a smear, uncomfortable but not painful. DD was born in the early hours of Saturday morning. Who knows if it helped it along, personally I think labour would have happened when it did anyway, and I think the sweep was more a psychological thing for me - a way of staying in control ifkwim.

I had a sweep on Monday and was trying to find as much information about it as I could beforehand. The midwife warned me that it might not be possible as I was just over 40 weeks and this is my first baby. She found my cervix, I was 1cm dialated and she was able to perform a sweep. It was more than uncomfortable but not painful. Definitely worse than a smear but I'll accept the next one if I need it, especially now I know what to expect! Still no labour but had a show three days later so I've felt like I've done something productive. The midwife stressed that anytime I wanted her to stop she would.