Sweeps

[flyingcloud]

Just a quick poll really.

I am 39+3 and at my last check 37w my cervix was firmly closed. My gynae (under consultant care just because we were recommended this particular doc and I am in France so can see whoever I want) - offered me a sweep at 39w - or today.

I am tired, heavy, my back hurts A LOT. I sleep sporadically, some nights not at all and some nights I sleep well despite the frequent loo trips. I have started having very minor BH in the last three days. No show or waters. So it could be a lot worse...

Obviously he may not be able to do anything, but is there any disadvantage to having a sweep now?

I am hoping to go in this afternoon but wondered if I was really doing the right thing or if I should wait a bit longer. I wont get offered another one and I wont have any more appts until my official due date of 41+3 (France again).

If anything I would quite like him to listen to the lo heartbeat again as the baby is moving, but not very much. Movements seem to have tailed right off...

My MW said there is no point in sweeping before 41 weeks as the cervix is unlikely to be favourable. She won't give me one until tomorrow when I will be 9 days overdue and I'm not sure how beneficial they are anyway as the majority of MWs conclude they only do anything if you are ready to go into labour anyway.

Disadvantages are - they can be very painful and also every time someone has a rummage up there it's an opportunity to introduce infection. I really don't want to have one tomorrow but as I can only deliver in the MLU up to 42 weeks I am prepared to do it.

I would not have countenanced it at 39 weeks

Thanks - but he offered without me suggesting anything so not quite sure what to think...

hmm is it possible to check whether cervix still firmly closed before doing sweep and then make decision? If it is firmly closed then i don't think sweeps are supposed to do much good and may hurt.
I had a sweep when cervix had just started to dilate at 41+0 and it didn't hurt at all and i went into labour less than 24 hours later.

Each time my MW said wh'ed sweep if the cervix was 'ripe'. Both times it was and had started to dilate.

With DS1 - I was 39 w and 1 cm diated. It brought on srong braxton hicks for the evening but they died away again. He was born about 3 days later.

With DS2 I was 2 cm and it brought on labour about 12 hours later.

Uncomfortable having it doe but no worse than a smear

Thanks - weasel I don't think they can do a sweep if the cervix is very firmly closed. I'll find out tonight...

No - they can't do a sweep. Doc told me just to sit it out as there was nothing he could do yesterday.

Although he did send me to the maternity unit for a monitoring session and all is well, so very reassuring.

Probably better to give bubs more time if that is what they want. Slowed down movement can be a good thing though can't it? Don't they all slow down in the lead-up? DS did.