40 weeks midwife appt - just examine & no sweep?

[Bec123451995]

Hello, I just wanted to see if anyone’s midwife has allowed you to just be examined & not have a sweep?

I’ve been getting braxton hicks & sometimes some period type pains but mostly at night & will fade by the morning. My midwife has said she can give me a sweep at my 40 weeks appointment if I wanted to but I’ve heard mixed reviews about it. But would be nice to see if things are progressing on its own at the appointment if I don’t get the sweep. This is my 2nd baby but I was induced at 37 weeks with my first.

Thank you! xx

You don't need to be 'allowed' not to have a sweep- no one can tell you they're putting their hand in your vagina without your consent. It's your decision. You don't need to have any sweeps at all if you don't want to.

Like @addler no medical professional can force a medical procedure on you. That is not limited to sweeps the choice of weather to be induced / any choices during labour are yours.
The midwifes / medical staff will explain the pros and cons of any choices. Ie. Informed concent

Good luck I hope all goes well

This post makes me a bit sad. Please understand that you have the power to say no to any procedure you don't want.

Informed consent is about being given the benefit and risks, as well as alternatives and making your own decision.
You don't need to be allowed, it's up to you.

Do you mean for them to do a vaginal examination but not a sweep? As many people have said above they are not going to force a sweep on you. Whether they would just do a vaginal exam I don't know, they might feel it could be risky (eg introducing bacteria) for no particular benefit - although might make you feel better though. My midwife talked about doing a sweep at 40 weeks but after quite a bit of feeling my stomach said she wouldn't as she thought baby was not engaged enough.

It’s your choice, my midwives asked me if I wanted one last time to help get things moving, I agreed but wanted her to explain every step of the way and she did. Turned out my cervix wasn’t favourable so didn’t happen.

Side note: then had one (again I was asked) when I was in labour and oh my god it was awful. I will be saying no thanks next time.

I had a 40 week appointment and no sweep. I said I didnt want one til 41 weeks. You can do whatever you want. If you dont want a sweep, you dont have one. Too many women forget that when it comes to pregnancy and birth you dont have to consent to anything (although at times it obviously makes medical consent to do what they say)

Of course! You dont have to have a sweep ever, if you dont want one. You dont have to agree to any medical procedure - examinations, induction, intervention. It may be in your best interests to accept sometimes, but other times it may not.

With a second baby I wasn't offered a sweep until 41 weeks anyway. She ended up being born at 40+5 but I would have declined the sweep if it got that far.