Does offering sweeps from 38 weeks make any sense?

[jaggythistle]

I was told at my first MW appointment that having had a CS (unplanned) last time, I'd not be induced for DC2, but would be offered sweeps from 38 weeks onwards.

I didn't think much of it at the time, but having remembered the attempted sweep round about my due date last time (39+6 I think), I'm stuggling to get my head round it.

My cervix was totally unfavourable and it was extremely uncomfortable. I eventually went into labour at 40+7 and DS was born by CS after being extremely reluctant to come out :) It's thought he was at a funny angle so wasn't causing my cervix to dilate properly, I only got to 6-7cm apparently.

Anyway, i think I'd much prefer to wait and see if I go into labour spontaneously and maybe accept trying a sweep once I am past my due date?

Will I be looked at like ?

I have a 'mode of birth' discussion appointment with the consultant at 34 weeks so wanted to have a think about it beforehand. I might also chat to the MW at my 28 wk appointment next week.

Thanks :)

Cheeky bump in case any midwives or other knowledgeable folk are about. :)

In my (admittedly limited!) experience, sweeps only work if you're pretty much ready to go anyway. So I'd be happy to refuse one if I didn't fancy it! Are you in a particular hurry to get the baby out?

If you want to accept a sweep once you go past your due date, then tell them so. Sweeps only work if you're likely to go into labour anyway, which of course is more likely the further on you get - which makes me think "what's the point?!"

I personally won't be bothering with any this time, the fewer people having a furtle in my fanoir the better, thank you very much!

i am in no rush whatsoever and also had plenty fanjo rummaging while in labour last time so not fancying unnecessary sweepage.

I'm happy to just wait and see what happens, i was just wondering if i was wrong to think it didn't really make sense. :)

going by my charting, the due date from my dating scan seems a few days earlier, which makes me even less keen to be in a rush. :)

I'm in a slightly similar situation to you and have been offered a sweep at 38 and 39 weeks. This is because I had an ECS with DD1 but am so wanting to manage a VBAC this time round. They won't let me go past my due date (have already booked me in for a section on the day) so anything to hurry little one along before then I am going to do.

I don't know how far they normally let you go after your due date if you have had a previous CS. I have some other factors to consider so it could be because of them.