How early can I get a sweep?

[HolyShmoly]

First time pregnancy, final height is measuring consistently about 2 weeks ahead, family history of big, late babies. I would prefer to use the birthing suite and I'd rather not be induced.
My due date is a Saturday and my community midwife is normally at the clinic on a Tuesday and Thursday.
How soon will they do a sweep? Would I be able to get one on the Thursday before my due date and the following Tuesday if it didn't work?
I'm 34 weeks now, so another few weeks left, but I'd like to have a bit of an idea before I ask the midwife a stupid question!

They will usually offer you one at 40 weeks if it's your first. My due date was a Saturday but my community midwife team did appointments every weekday, so I had a sweep on the Friday at 39+6. The next available appointment I was offered for one was 40+6 (baby arrived of his own accord at 40+4 anyway!). I think I was told they could be done as close as 4 days apart but I'm not totally sure.

Other mums I've spoken to in different trusts were refused until they were after 40 weeks though, so I think it is one to ask your midwife about. Not a stupid question at all!

Thanks, I'm seeing her on Thursday so I'll ask then. I don't think it helps that I already feel bloody massive, so the thought of waiting too long isn't appealing!

I would talk to your midwife about it. They don't mind at all it's not a stupid question. I wanted a sweep at 37 weeks with my DD2 because I was in early
labour at 36+5 they ended up breaking my waters at 37+3 and I had DD2 3 hrs later :)

They offer them from 38 weeks round here

They've suggested I have a sweep at 38 weeks due to PGP and baby being over 95th centile. If I hadn't been on crutches with PGP they said they wouldn't have offered sweep till 40 weeks x

Hi @holyshmoly, am in similar position to you. Baby is in 90th percentile and due to my age (40+) I'll be induced at 39+6 anyway.

Obstetrician said I could do 1st sweep at 37 weeks. I didn't as I was still working that week! Midwife however said a sweep was unlikely to be possible at 37 weeks as cervix needs to have started opening & probably wouldn't have. Midwife did manage mini sweep at 38+5 as cervix was a little open, but said it would almost certainly not trigger labour, which it didn't. Proper sweep now planned for tomorrow (39+3). I'm hoping it works so I can avoid induction. Wish me luck!

Based on what I learnt, I would say it's probably not worth trying until 38 weeks and probably won't be offered before then anyway.

38 weeks here.

A sweep is still considered to be an intervention so I would be wary of getting on that slippery slope without due cause. A normal pregnancy can go to 42 weeks. I would never have a sweep at 38 weeks as the baby could still be needing to gestate for another month!

41 weeks in my area.

Thanks for all the responses. I'm still kind of hoping I can have it at 39+5, so it won't be very early, I just wasn't sure if I'd have to wait until 40 weeks on the dot.
In the meantime, I'll keep looking at what I can do to help bring it on naturally. I know the baby won't really come until she's ready, but a wee bit of encouragement won't go amiss.
Her head has been down since around 31 weeks and she pops in and out of being engaged (based on how much pressure I feel when I'm walking.) DH will be delighted with some of the methods!

I had one booked for 39+3. Didn't need it in the end as baby arrived at 39+1!

I'm pretty sure I had my first sweep with DC2 at 39+4 or 5. However, they were only going to let me go to 41 weeks before inducing and I was desperate to avoid that, so used that to persuade the midwife! I think usual policy round here is after 40 weeks, but only if cervix and baby position are favourable.

It varies depending on area. It's 41 weeks where I live although I've had them at 36 and 40 weeks when I was being induced anyway.

Age is a factor as many NHS trusts have a policy that 40+ mothers shouldn't go past 40 weeks (there is an evidence base linked to increased risk of stillbirth), hence induction at 39+6. This makes Drs/midwives keener to do sweeps earlier.
A friend who had her first baby at 39 wasn't offered a sweep until after 40 weeks.

I wasn't offered one until 41 weeks (assume that's what they do in my area), I went into labour naturally at 40 plus 4 a few days before my sweep was booked, so it does seem to vary x

I had one on my due date and then another at 40+4, went into labour at 40+6 but gave birth 41 weeks on the dot.

According to official guidelines you can offer first time mothers a sweep at 40 weeks and second onwards mothers a sweep at 41 weeks. No one should be doing them before 40 weeks unless a consultant has stated to do so due to an identified medical indication. It's an intervention and isn't without risk.

According to official guidelines you can offer first time mothers a sweep at 40 weeks and second onwards mothers a sweep at 41 weeks

Yes that’s exactly what happened with me. Had one at 40 weeks with DC1 which didn’t work and hated the experience.
Was offered one at 41 weeks with DC2 which I was planning to decline, but in the end didn’t need to as DC was born at 40+2.

I had a sweep (& stretch) yesterday (39+3) late morning. Was quite uncomfortable and have had light bleeding & cramps since and seem to be losing mucous plug this morning. No labour yet, but it can take 48 hours. Really hope things kick off before Friday morning when induction is scheduled!

I have absolutely no clue about any of this! I'm 29 weeks today but baby currently measuring 30+1. Can't remember what percentile that is without my notes - it was above 90 though.

I've also got quite bad PGP, does that have any impact on when they will do a first sweep?

I'm in Leeds for the birth but community midwife in Kirklees.