Can you request a sweep?

[Pastamancer]

This might sound silly but I am 41+1 with DC2 so feel some sillyness is allowed.

I had my final MW appointment on Tuesday and had a sweep. I was 2-3cm dilated, soft, central and the cervix was about 1cm thick. I am hoping for a homebirth but have been booked in for an induction on Weds. I have a severe needle phobia and the thought of being hooked up to a drip is a very frightening thing for me. I had a drip during DC1's labour due to dehydration and really don't want to repeat that experience.

Would I be able to request another sweep this weekend? The MLU is close to me and that is where the community midwives are based. I'm happy to travel there for it but I'm not sure if that is something I can ask them. Would it be an unusual request?

Of course you can, they will be only to happy to help. My local MLU recommends 3 sweeps, each 3 days apart before they suggest artificial induction, so I'm sure your unit will have a similar approach.

If it helps, induction doesn't necessarily mean a drip. I was induced last month, and as my cervix was 3-4cm I was able to skip the pessary, and simply have my waters broken. Contractions started within minutes, and I had a straight forward and super fast labour without the need for any further intervention. That isn't uncommon. My midwife said he's had women deliver within half an hour of having their waters broken!

Is it standard to induce at +12 in your area? Given your needle phobia have you thought about pushing that later to +15 (standard protocol in my area) or going for expectant management?
Another saying induction might not mean drip, especially with a previous vaginal birth. Two friends just had the pessary.

Yes you can. I asked every midwife I met to give me a sweep when I went past my due date.

I think that sex can also have a similar effect to a sweep.. That's what worked for me!

Hope you're ok and maybe even in labour by now?? Of course you can request them, my MW did 3 or 4 with dd1 and made the last one 'extra' thorough to avoid induction. I eventually went into labour at 41+2 and dd1 was born at 41+4. DD2 was born after a second sweep at 40+6 :)

Thanks everyone. I ended up starting off by myself but with pathetic contractions that weren't doing much and was induced on Sunday as my waters went on sat. DD2 was born Sunday afternoon but we only got home today as I had a PPH

Congratulations on the arrival of DD2! Sorry to hear you had a pph -- how are you feeling?

Congratulations. I hope you are recovering ok.