Advice needed re possible sweep and differing due dates

[Pannacotta]

My due date is 17 May working from my last period and my cycle was v regular. Afer my 12 week scan the EDD was brought forward to 12 May.
At last MW appt she told me at my next appt, a week tom when I will be 40+6 6 by scan date but only +1 by my dates, she would do a sweep.
I don't want any interntions if poss. Am booked for a home birth and feel confident the baby will come when ready. DS was in fact 2 days early so may be worrying for nothing. But can anyone advise me how to put my case forward if nothing has happened by next week?

Summerfruit - that is indeed hilarious- actually a pity for you - you poor thing!!

I was 19 when I went for my driving test - had 1 lesson with an old school teacher of mine in the small town where my parents stay in South Africa. I needed my driving license to go to Germany as Au Pair (one of the conditions of employment), so the traffic cop and I got in the car and I could not reverse park to save my life.

He then said ok test over as I am obviously not ready - so I begged him to test my driving skills - I told him I cannot park, but that I can drive. So eventually he pitied me and said - ok, let's give it a go then - so I put the car in gear and pulled away - WITH THE HANDBREAK ON!!!

After a very stressful driving test he 'calculated' my points and told me that I have just just only made it! I hugged him and thanked him - and that's now more than 10 years ago - so I have had a lot of practice, but I still laugh at how I got it -terrible!!

Sorry everybody else that we do this to this thread - but what is life without a little bit of laughter in between all the serious issues.

hugs to you all

Problems with a sweep might include risk of infection (even with sterile gloved hands, you are taking bacteria from the lower part of the vagina up towards the cervix where perhaps they are not meant to be) plus possibility of rupturing membranes - sometimes this is done deliberately to kick start labour but the problem with ruptured membranes is increased risk of infection, plus you are then on a "ticking clock" in terms of getting the baby born, and if the baby needs to rotate it is harder for it to do that without the cushioning that the amniotic fluid provides. On the other hand, a gently done stretch and sweep can help the body to produce prostoglandlins which can help get things moving if that is what you want. I chose to have a stretch and sweep done at 42 + 2 with DD#2 - was in labour 2 days later but then again I probabaly would have been anyway! It did not hurt as my Dr was VERY gentle and my waters did not break. In fact they stayed intact until I was in transition.

Thanks MrsM, it doesnt sound ideal, esp given the dates issue here.
My MW is v experienced but is not what I would call gentle when she feels the baby, but hard to know how she would be when doing a sweep...

Midwife who did our antenatal class told us to try and avoid at all cost that someone breaks your water until at least the 8th stage of labor, unless there is a medical reason to do it beforehand or of course if it happens naturally. She did say that some midwives do it when you arrive at hospital to get the labour going (which does not always help!) so that you can give birth quicker so that they can see to other women in labour - this is scary!!!

That is scary, my waters broke just 15 mins before DS was born and I gather that is often the case, ie v late on in labour. So I dont want them ruptured by an over zealous MW. Anyone know how likely it is for a sweep to rupture the membranes though?
The more I hear the less I like the sound of a sweep. not sure why the MW suggested it as she knows I am v pro active birth and v much want to have a home birth....