Stretch and Sweep

[SamanthaJanexx]

Good afternoon,

I am wondering if anyone is able to advise on their experience.
I'm 40 + 5 weeks pregnant. My midwife never offered me a stretch and sweep and in the end I had to ask if she could do it for me. She felt the outside of my stomach and said that the baby is engaged but not enough that it is acting as a plug so she's unable to do the sweep, she didn't then offer to try again at my next appointment. I have since spoken to two of my friends who have had them and they advised me that they had internal checks done where the midwife had put her finger in to check if they were dilated enough, if they were 1cm dilated then it was a successful sweep and if they were not it was unsuccessful but their midwife tried again. My midwife has not done this. Can anyone please tell me if this is my midwife just not wanting to do the sweep or what she has said is a legitimate reason to refuse

I was refused a stretch and sweep as head was only 4/5 engaged.
I was advised the reason for this is if babies head is still ‘bobbing’ there is a chance a cord/arm/foot could potentially slip infront of the head which they definitely do not want

Yeah they don’t tend to offer unless baby’s very engaged or you can end up with problems at worst and a sore fanjo at best. They stick their fingers in to check how dilated your cervix is at the start of labour so if you’ve no signs, there’s not a lot this will accomplish either. If you get a sweep too soon you can irritate your cervix which can make it swell and reduces the chance of successful dilation.

Are you using a birthing ball to engage the head? I think I lived on mine through weeks 39/40!

Thank you. Yes I've been using a birthing ball for the last 2 weeks. I've got a lot of pelvis pain and just want baby out and to avoid being induced so was really hoping to be able to have these sweeps done @PeekabooAtTheZoo

Hiya! I am in hospital at the moment 37+3 went in yesterday morning. They did a stretch and sweep which I found uncomfortable, then said the cervix was closed then insisted a doctor could try and get a cook balloon in so did another internal. This was very uncomfortable. That didn't work so they did another sweep and then put a pessary in. Still waiting & nothing has happened! Could it be because you're further along perhaps? If you do want one I would insist and find out reasons why the won't. Xx