Membrane sweep?? Best time to have it????

[Quackers]

I had this first time at 41 weeks and it did work. I realise that it generally only works if the cervix is ripe and ready anyway, but wondered if 40 weeks was ok to have it??? If I ask my GP at 40 weeks, she will do it as she is very easy going (don;t have a m/w), but I want to be sure I'm doing the right thing! I have been offered one at 41 weeks but am booked for induction the next day, so doesn;t give it much chance to work really!

Well it's up to you really.... I find sweeps can lead to more painful births so I tend to suggest to avoid it....
If your cervix is really not ready the GP may struggle to reach anyway!

BTW - you can DECLINE an induction at 41 weeks !

Pupuce is right - you can say no to induction. I declined inductions for both my babies at 41 weeks, and held out until 42 weeks to the day. I only accepted a sweep first time as if labour did not begin that day I would have been pressured to go in to hospital and would not have had my home birth.

message makes it seem as if I was induced - I wasn't either time!

Quackers - I would not have a sweep at 40 weeks - as Pupuce says it can lead onto problems. When they work it is great. Quite often though it starts a lot of irritable cramping that leads to hospital admission before labour is established, which in my experience leads onto intervention. Wait until 41 weeks if you can and delay your induction until 42 weeks. You are most likely to go into labour yourself in the interim.

Why don't you hane a midwife by the way? I wouldn't have a GP doing a sweep - their experience is limited as far as obstetrics goes.

Thanks for your thoughts. I am keen to have an induction earlier rather than later as I had a small baby first time and she was distressed. I have been scanned regularly and all is fine, but I wouldn't want to go to 42 weeks, unless my cervix is unfavourable at my 41 week appointment. If all seems to be progressing then I am happy to have the sweep at 41 weeks. I take your point about my GP not being as obstetrically minded and will take your advice and hang fire then for the sweep!
Mears, there's no midwife provision in my area. My GP is fab though as she deals with all the gynae/obstetric stuff. I do attend the consultant's ANC as I had a previous IUGR and see a m/w there occasionally which I really do value!!! I miss the support and knowledge of a m/w as I had first time, but such is life I suppose.
I am optimistic I may go before the 41 weeks as the head is engaged 3/5, I believe that's good for a second baby is it???? Your expertise on that point would be appreciated!!
Thanks again all!!

Quackers. You know my story anyway, but like I said on the other thread I had my sweep at 40+5 and my cervix was 'unfavourable' and still posterior. The midwife said she doubted it would work and made an appointment for the following Monday at the hospital. 12 hours later I was in labour and after a 9 hour labour DD2 was born at home. Hope this helps.

I went in with a false alarm at 37 weeks when m/w examined me she said I was ready to drop, ripe as ripe can be she exclaimed... she gave it a quick sweep and dd arrived post haste 4 days later.
I did not ask for it, I am not convinced it made a huge difference tbh...
I'd dig my feet in abut induction though not until at least 14 days so long as monitoring shows baby is ok... it is ok to be arsey about it, inductions are responsible for so many instrumental births..
my bug bear

I hope this does not come across as "out of line" but if baby being on the small side is your worry, would it not be best to wait and take your cue from the baby? He/she will know when they are ready and are therefore much less likely to become distressed, I do mean this in the nicest possible way!

i had sweep at 40 weeks, baby followed 5 days later arrived on day i was due to be induced

Quackers - 3/5 th is good for a second baby. Try and put your previous experience out of your mind (I know it is hard). This baby is progressing well and will do better with a natural labour than a possibly unnecessary induction. Induction of labour can be a huge stress to a baby if there is no good reason for it. 42 weeks is a normal length of pregnancy for western women (well recognised). There is much debate about changing the perception that pregnancy lasts 40 weeks. I am confident that you will go into labour yourself Quackers. Try and enjoy your last few days/weeks of relative freedom. Pity you do not have a visiting midwife. What happens with postnatal care?

Thanks so much.
Midden, appreciate your comments too, no worries!
Mears, a midwife does visit postnatally and I have a health visitor here too. Despite not having a community m/w, I do feel very well cared for as we use our consultants alot more over here, they are very much more part of anc for normal pregnancies as well as difficult ones, so it does have some advantages, but I would prefer a m/w. They're irreplacable really!!I'm encouraged you think I will go myself, really hope so!!! I may hold off on induction then until 13 days past due date as that was the other option given to me (either side of the weekend!)

Sorry to butt in on the thread.

I am 41+5 and have reluctantly agreed to a sweep on Saturday morning before a full blown induction on Monday. Even though I have had the show and had irregular crampings for two weeks the midwife said that a sweep is not very successful for first timers. Is this true? and should I just wait until Monday and see if baby makes an appearance in the mean time?

Thanks

Hiya, just wanted to say I had a sweep at 41 weeks with my first and it did work. I wasn't as uncomfortable as I anticipated. I think Mears will say generally if the cervix is favourable, the sweep should be effective in triggering natural labour. I found this link yesterday and it might help you.
here

Thanks, I think I might go with the sweep on Saturday. Although it is an intervention there are no drugs involved and it might just get me going before Monday.