Could I request a sweep at 40wks?? + Would I really want to?!?

[EmmaKateLouise]

As title really, no particular need for one, am just sick of waiting, so was wondering if I could ask my midwife to do one at my 40Wk+1 appointment on Friday?!

Is a sweep painful? Awful? Does it work?

my midwife asked if i wanted one at 40wk, so had one there and then. not painful just uncomfortable. 2 days later ds2 was born!

i had a sweep done with dd at 40+1 i didnt ask for it mw said i could if i want it didnt hurt at all i went into labour that night and had dd the next morning i was already 3cm tho if your baby isnt ready it prob wont work.

With ds i ask for one at 38 weeks and she done it i was having mild contactions and again was 3cms i had him a few hours later.

definitely ask for one - if it helps avoid other induction methods it's worth it - can be uncomfortable but then compared to the whole delivery/labour 'discomfort' tis but a drop in the ocean!

I had one at 40+3 with DS, I don't think it did a great deal (was in early stages anyway) but it wasn't painful or awful, just a tad uncomfy.
It's worth a go!

argh! i asked for one when i was 3 days over. it was really sore,i felt really teary after and a bit violated,and i dont have a problem with internals,smears etc. it worked tho,i went into labour the next morning, but dont know if i would have one again. i know others who have had it done and just felt discomfort tho so it might be ok.

I had one with dd at exactly 40wks. It did nothing though! Had another at exactly 41wks and had her the next morning. It doesn't hurt just a bit and uncomfortable.It's worth a try though

A sweep is a form of induction and there are risks to it, like infection for example.

I'd strngly suggest not having one unless there is a real medical reason to have one.

Any intervention in birth is not reccommended without a medical reason because it can cause problems with the actual birth itself if your body is not ready.

Also it won't even work if you're not already dilated enough for her to get her fingers in.

Be patient, it'll come when it's ready.

Also, I totally understand how fed up you are, I personally tried everything known to make baby come before 40weeks as i was booked in for a cs, nothing worked, I had my cs at 41weeks.

Please don't shoot me down in flames, I'm sure by now you must be sick to death of being pregnant! BUT..................
officially (ie. according to the World Health Organisation) you're not really even classed as overdue till you get past 42 weeks. Some babies just take longer to "cook" than others.
If you can bear it, you'll be doing yourself and your baby a favour by trying to be patient - sweeps generally only work if your body is gearing itself up to go into labour anyway, but they can lead to days of uncomfortable pre-labour. Why not just enjoy these last few twilight days of your pregnancy?

I had a sweep at 40+4, did nothing, the MW made me lie on our bed to have it, I too felt very odd and 'violated' after..physically I had the shakes but didnt have dd till induction day at 40+11. I don't think Ill bother again.