Refusing sweep before bank holiday weekend?

[Junac]

Sorry realised I posted on wrong board…

I’ve rang community midwife team to request a sweep this week at my appointment when I’ll be 39+5.
I’ve had a poor experience with them tbh and this time was no different with them initially saying ‘we only do a sweep of a consultant asks for one’ which had me thinking I wouldn’t be able to have one full stop, but then transpired they meant before 40 weeks. So they are refusing to do it this week and will have to be next week…but if I haven’t gone into labour by then spontaneously I’ll be 40+5 and about to head into the four day bank holiday weekend.
Obviously if I end up in labour over that weekend spontaneously then that can’t be helped but it seems like a terrible idea to be to be actively trying to bring about the birth of the baby over that weekend- the birth centre where I’m booked to give birth will probably be shut, it will be skeleton staffing on labour ward for days.
Anyone in a similar boat or any experience? Would I be unreasonable to refuse a sweep as I’d rather not be prepping to have the baby over the bank holiday?
Induction policy locally is to go ahead at 41+5.

It isn’t the midwife being difficult. NICE guidelines state a sweep can be offered after 40 weeks with your first baby or 41 weeks with second or more baby. Anything earlier than that has to be a consultant decision based on individual circumstances.

It’s up to you if you accept or decline the sweep however.

@Madwife123

It isn’t the midwife being difficult. NICE guidelines state a sweep can be offered after 40 weeks with your first baby or 41 weeks with second or more baby. Anything earlier than that has to be a consultant decision based on individual circumstances.

It’s up to you if you accept or decline the sweep however.

Yes I’m appraised of this now but it’s not what she said; they made me think I wouldn’t be allowed one whatsoever without a consultant say so which had me baffled. We ended up talking for a Few minutes before what actually she meant became apparent and I clarified this.

I wouldn’t worry about the bank holiday.. I think it’s very very unlikely your facility will be closed!! Surely they know people give birth on bank holidays. You could easy establish whether this is true by calling and asking them what the provisions are over the bank hol so you can prepare if alternative plans are needed. This might be a silly question but how come you are requesting a sweep- I always thought it was the other way around and for them to suggest one if medical advice called for one? xo

@sjxoxo

I was asking for one as it’s a pretty low risk way to try to kick start labour.
I’m having lots of braxton hicks and I’m quite uncomfortable- hopefully this means my body is prepping itself but I think a little push to get things started wouldn’t go amiss!

@Junac thanks for replying - I’m currently 35 weeks with my first so you wise women of mn are a great source of information 😬
All the best for your birth! Xx

I wouldn’t worry too much re the bank holidays. I have been getting scans every two weeks on a Tuesday afternoon (that’s when my consultant has her clinic). Yesterday she said that as the next Tuesday is a bank holiday her clinic isn’t on but they have an extra list on the Wednesday - so I will still get my scan and it is just for extra cautious monitoring. Obviously every trust/hospital is different but I’m sure yours will also have appropriate measures in place for over the festive period so that people get whatever treatment they need. There will be some delays but I hopefully they’ll be quite minimal.

To be honest the evidence that sweeps actually bring on labour is pretty limited.

I understand why you’d be worried about staffing on a bank holiday weekend - but think of it like this instead: there’s no routine appointments booked and people will only be coming into hospital if they really really need to - so it may actually be quieter than usual.

You can decline a sweep, or any other method of induction at any point, it is up to you.

It's never unreasonable to decline a sweep or any other intervention, at any time. I declined to have a sweep with my second - they can be very uncomfortable and there is limited evidence that they're beneficial in any way.

@Madwife123

It isn’t the midwife being difficult. NICE guidelines state a sweep can be offered after 40 weeks with your first baby or 41 weeks with second or more baby. Anything earlier than that has to be a consultant decision based on individual circumstances.

It’s up to you if you accept or decline the sweep however.

Sorry to jump on this but I’m due to see my midwife tomorrow, second pregnancy… will she not give me a sweep as I’m 40+5 I’ve been counting down to this appointment for my sweep!

OP my community midwife wouldn’t do a sweep before 40 weeks either? I’m sure she will give you one at your appointment if your 40+. And I don’t think bank holidays make a difference with labour so the unit should still be safely staffed. If I don’t go naturally Ill be 12 days over on Christmas Eve and my midwife said I’ll still be booked in for my induction regardless of Christmas. It’s very anxious I know but I’m sure they wouldn’t put mothers and babies at risk by doing it if it wasn’t staffed

@LouiseS0510

Yes as stated in the OP they would give me one at 40+5.
Labour ward will be open but unfortunately the birth centre will probably be shut so no water birth.
Whenever there are staffing problems at the hospital they shut the birth centre and shove everyone over to labour ward.

I’ve never known there be skeleton staff on a labour ward over Xmas. Every hospital I’ve ever worked at the staffing is exactly the same as any other day. Same number of midwives, a registrar, an sho, same number of theatre staff, anaesthetist. It will be “weekend” staffing but really the only thing that means is the consultant is unlikely to be in the building but will be on call. Scan and clinic facilities will be closed (which isn’t an issue in labour).

So from a staffing point of view I wouldn’t care.

Just wait and if needed have the sweep after Xmas.

I had my son at 42 weeks on Xmas eve. (Ended with ECS). I wouldn't recommend it if you can avoid it. Obviously if you go into spontaneous labour then good luck.

I do understand how frustrating it is. In no scenario did I (or my family) think we wouldn't be having Xmas with me and the baby. But baby had other plans.

I had a sweep from 38 weeks with my first and 39 with my second . NICE guidelines are one thing but it's your body and your baby you are at term at 37 weeks and aslong as they go through the risks with you they should give you one

I know it deviates from your plan of having baby at birthing Centre but could you not have a water birth on labour ward? My labour ward has birthing pool. Hopefully you go into labour before! But I can sympathize with how anxious it’s making you! X