Membrane sweep at 39 weeks?

[ploopypleepy]

Being offered a sweep at 39 weeks... would you go ahead or refuse? I know there's pros and cons, anyone any experience?

I had one last week at 39+5, loads of cramping for hours afterwards then lost my mucus plug the following day but it's been 6 days since and I'm still pregnant. I was also told at the time of my sweep I was 2-3cm dilated so I really expected the sweep to send me into labour :(

I should also add it was uncomfortable but not too painful, though I've heard other experiences where it's been painful.

Hmmmm so it's not had the desired effect. I wonder if it was less painful because you were already dilated. Are you booked in for another one ?

I think it also depends on the midwife and how they perform the sweep. My midwife is lovely but very dainty with small hands - maybe this makes a difference?

I'm booked for another on Thursday. I'm so desperate to go into labour, I'll happily take as many as they can offer before my induction next week.

Are you concerned about the pain or putting your body into labour before it's ready?

I'm 39+ 5 and booked in for my 3rd sweep tomorrow. I'm trying to avoid an induction/section so am accepting them despite not being sure of their benefit. I guess it depends on the reasons for them offering them at 39, and how ready your body is to whether they're worth a try. My mum had a sweep on my brother and he was born 2.5hrs later so they can work .... but I'm on baby 3, and 3rd sweep this pregnancy and nothing really so far 🙈

@WorriedMum13 fingers crossed the one on Thursday starts moving things along. You might actually start on your own before then! I'm not concerned about the pain but more about starting things too early. The baby is measuring on the larger side so I really don't want to go over.

@Loulou1712 third already! How were you presenting at your last sweep ? Dilated or not ? Are you trying to avoid induction too? I think they are more likely to work if your cervix is already soft and open so hopefully this one works for you.

@ploopypleepy
1cm, soft, -2 and cervix still posterior 😭
However I've had a show, I'm so uncomfortable, and baby feels really low but it's my 3rd baby so he isn't staying engaged and on my previous labour's my cervix seemed to stay high until labour was really established.
Basically - I'm not exactly favourable, but babies measuring big and I'm trying to avoid induction 😂
Good luck to you!!!

I honestly believe they don’t work unless your ready to nearly go yourself anyway. I had three with my last baby and wouldn't bother with it again. Even with one very thorough sweep by a male consultant that was entirely horrible at 40 weeks exactly, other than giving me cramps and getting my hopes up I still went 6 days over.

@Ginmonkey84 this is what I was thinking, And those that do go into labour soon after, could be just coincidence? I think I've made my decision anyway and I'm not going to have it.

Had a sweep at 38+5, cervix not dilated at all so didn’t have any affect. It was over with very quickly though and as someone with a low pain threshold I’d say it was more uncomfortable than painful. Less painful than a smear in my opinion.

39 weeks and went for sweep attempt no2 today and they were unable to do it due to my cervix being too closed and posterior. They said baby’s head is 4/5 in the pelvis though and very engaged.

has anyone experienced this before and not needed to be induced? I’m so uncomfortable and just want baby in my arms asap.

All this was too much stress for me so I declined all vaginal exams and of course, any interventions like sweeps. My first went the longest past due to 41 +3 and I was booked for induction at 42 weeks at the time. However, ended up spontaneous for all 4 after all.

Had a sweep at 39+5. It was definitely uncomfortable. She couldn’t properly sweep as I was still completely closed (although apparently very soft). My waters then went in the early hours and I went straight into labour.

i don’t even feel she got into my cervix at all. And no movement here at all yet. So sore and fed up now just want things to move along. Can’t bare the thought of another couple weeks this uncomfortable.

I’d declined at 39+5. My reason for declining was due to something that was said on the ‘Positive Birth Company’ hypnobirthing course. In order to have a sweep, you need to be 1cm dilated and if you are, then you body is already getting ready to give birth. Also, this was the biggie for me, they can accidentally break your waters, meaning you have to give birth within 48 hours so a timer has started for you…this potentially can lead to induction if labour doesn’t start. They reframed it that at 39 weeks you’ve not reached your ‘due window’, rather than fixating on a due date and then feeling overdue. As it turned out, I didn’t have to wait long and my LO arrived on her due date.

I had as many as possible. They didn't work but this time I would definitely do the same.

Anything to avoid an induction. Or a c section. (I had an induction in the end)

Not sure if there's anything in them and they do actually work, but worth a try in my opinion (even after so many failed ones).

Anyone else been told their cervix is closed at 39 weeks then had baby soon after? I’m praying I’m one of those stories 🤞

Yes I'd of taken anything to get my baby out, I hate being pregnant and was in such pain at the end - and both of mine were born at 37+2 via induction!