Would you have a sweep??

[lurcherlover]

My due date is a week today and I'm feeling very ready for this baby to be out now! I have a mw appointment the day before, on Friday - at my appointment yesterday she said she would do a sweep then if I wanted it (assuming I don't go into labour naturally in the next week, of course). She said to think about it this week and just let her know. I don't know what to do - this is my first baby so I don't know what to expect, and I've heard mixed reports of sweeps either not hurting at all or being really painful, and some people seem to think they definitely work and others that they're ineffective. I'm also not sure if I should have it done a day before my EDD or wait until I'm officially overdue - although one of the things I'm most nervous about is being induced if baby is late, so anything that would help avoid that would be welcome. What do you think? Baby is fully engaged so it could be any time now, but I know that's no indication that it's going to be early or on time. Would you have the sweep on Friday or wait? All opinions welcome please!

Let her examine you first, a sweep only works if you are ready for labour.

If she examines you and your cervix is closed and thick she won't be able to do one anyways.

If your cervix is thin and slightly open it may be worth a go.

I had a sweep with my DD at 39+5, I was 2-3 cms already but had not felt anything happening. She did the sweep and I immediatly went into labour with small pains, my DD was born the next morning.

I don't find the sweeps painful, uncomtable yes, but pregnancy andf labour IS uncomftable, and if it works, its worth it i think!

I am 5 days overdue (1st pregnancy)and went for a sweep yesterday. The midwife was unable to do it because my cervix wasn't ready.

The thing to rememnber is that they will only be able to do it if your body is ready for labour anyway, so I wouldn't worry about the exact timing. It wasn't sore just a wee bit uncomfortable.

I'm scared of being induced too but you have plenty time yet.

i had a sweep with ds on the wednesday and he was due on the saturday. i was 3 cms when they did it and it wasn't sore, more uncomfortable. i had pains on and off and went into labour on the saturday night. am pg again and will be asking for one this time too. good luck!

:)

I tried to have one witht my first but my cervix was closed. I then went 13days overdue and had to be induced, would i have a sweep? YES! i've also heard it can sometimes hurt/be uncomfortable but labour pain is so much more worse so if it gets things moving i'd try anything!

Hi, i had a sweep with DS1 on my due date and it was uncomfortable and did nothing at all. had another a week later and had a show after bout 24 hours but labour didnt start for another 2 days. but i did avoid being induced by 1 day. who knows if it'll work or not but if you feel ready for baby may as well give it ago coz u'll only get more and more impaitent.

gud luck and hopefully you wont need that sweep

I had two sweeps when I was overdue and didn't find it painful at all, and only very mildly uncomfortable. They didn't work for me, but they do work for a lot of people. I was induced and it's an experience I'd rather avoid this time so my consultant has agreed to start sweeps at 38 weeks this time for me.

yes i had 2 sweeps none of then worked so had a cs

Yes, yes, yes!
I had one when pg with DD, it didn't work unfortunately and I was induced when ten days over. I have heard mixed things about induction, but for me it was not pleasant at all. I feel this was the slippery slope that ended up in me having an emcs. If I knew then what I know now I would have gone in for at least two more sweeps if possible. Then I may have avoided all the trauma I went through. The sweep itself wasn't painful, it was just uncomfortable. Good luck. x

had a sweep with DD at term+8. was awfully painful (I relied on the testimonies of those who said it is just like a smear test - it is not ;-). did not do the trick either and I had an induction 3 days later. now pregnant with DC2 and I will (if I go over my date again) not have it again. but then - I know a couple of girls for whom it worked....

Thanks for your replies everyone. I think if I am still pregnant on Friday I will go for it - nothing to lose I guess. But will be bouncing on my ball and eating lots of hot curries between now and then in the hope of things kicking off naturally!