sweep

[babydust27]

Im due on thursday and have my 40 week midwife appointment on thursday.

Last time i saw her she said that she will offer me a sweep at the appointment.

I know its silly but i feel really uncomfortable with being examined but need to get over it as with any luck ill be having a baby very soon

Its my 1st baby and i havent really had any signs that things are starting, can anyone offer me any advice about whether to have the sweep?

You don't really need a sweep at just 40w, especially if you haven't had any twinges or aches, but one maybe a week later might be better. They do work for some people and personally I would say they are preferable to full-blown induction, so worth a try once or twice at least.

It's perfectly normal to feel uncomfortable with examinations They aren't always pleasant and they aren't exactly something most of us are used to! However I found that my sweep wasn't too bad - uncomfortable, yes, but not painful. The only thing I can say is that no one will do an examination unless they feel it is necessary so you won't have too many of them, and they will all be done for a reason and to help you have your baby as easily and healthily as possible.

Yes I agree with the above. I'm 41 weeks so just had my sweep after not bothering with one last week.. I got a bishop's score of 2. They score you out of 15 so basically body's not too ready yet so I'm glad I left it until now. I'm now booked in for induction over the weekend but hope something will happen before then. Good luck!

russet - Snap! I could have written your exact post! Are you having another sweep before you go in? I am booked in for another one tomorrow...

I had a sweep but I had already had a show

When they did it, they could feel the baby's head so things were ready

Be aware - they can be v painful especially if you aren't dilating/cervix thinning etc

I'm booked in for Friday actually but I wonder if they'll do anything on the day (ie another sweep) or just start with the induction. Really only want to do the pessaries (if anything) beyond that...And then request that they just monitor things. Still holding out for a waterbirth (I'm a naive first timer :0)!

I'm in the same boat babydust. I declined a sweep at my last appointment when i was 40+5 mainly because there is only a 25% of them working within 24-48 hours and they say if it did work chances were you were going to go into labour anyway!

My only problem was because I declined it community MW wont see me any more & booked me strait for induction if i'm still waiting this friday Rung MLU today and hopefully someone should be coming to my house to do one today or tommorow to try andget things started.

I too am a first timer. Want it to be natural. Holding out for a waterbirth at the MLU and i feel like my body is failing me in what supposed to be the most natural thing in the world and everything is being taken away from me :(

I had a sweep at 40+10 with my first and it was hideously uncomfortable and had zero effect.
I refused them with my second as was told by numerous midwives that unless youre starting labour then they don't work anyway.
It's your choice but I would refuse.

mellie, don't feel like that! It's not your body failing you, its just not fitting in with the NHS's timescales - if you were in other countries then you wouldn't be considered overdue for weeks yet. Your body will happily go into labour, just maybe not within the 42 the NHS wants.

I had a sweep at 41+1 and found it to be uncomfortable but not painful and I was told I was 2cms and had a soft cervix. This happened at 4:30, I had my show about an hour later, then my waters broke at precisely 8pm. DD was born the following midday. Chances are things were due to kick off anyway, but I'm glad I had the sweep and will take it again with DC2 when I reach that stage.

My logic was that it couldn't stop or slow the onset of labour, but it might kick start it so why not?

Yes I agree, why not. I have had them with all but one of my pregnancies and have never found them to be painful at all. I actually have them from 37 weeks (sanctioned by my Obs because I am old and having a homebirth again) - they will do no harm to try. I do not understand why people think this contraindicates a natural onset of labour, it can help things along but really is a lot better than an induction. Then again I have never got to term on any pregnancy so for me it would be a nightmare even to get to 40 weeks.

Sweet Jesus. 10 days overdue. Mw just been to do my sweep. Only just woke up so hadn't had the day to get worked up about it. Was nice & relaxed and IT HURT LIKE A BITCH!!!!!!!!!!!! She 'couldn't reach' & had to stop

Hi Babydust

I had a sweep at my 40w appointment with my second DS and he came at 3am the next morning! They assess your cervix first to see if a sweep could help things along. See how you feel at your appointment. My DS was 9lb in the end and I was totally fed up of being enormous. I was walking like John Wayne! Its a good way to get used to the examinations as there is no modestyin labour. If you do decide to go for it plan for a chillout for the rest of the day because it can be a bit crampy and uncomfortable afterwards. I decided it was a good idea to walk around M&S afterwards. That was not a good idea!

I hadnt thought about not doing to much after Brockle, i was going to go for a coffee in town and get my mothers day presents but i if i do have one ill just go home after.

I am really fed up now and just want this baby out. Everything seems more of a struggle this week and ive started to wake up lots during the night.

Was hoping for a Feb baby but with 8.5 hours left theres no chance!!

I had one at 41w. Did sod all, and I was already 2cm dilated.

I had another one, which I didn't consent to, when the MW on the AN ward was just supposed to check how dilated I was

I won't be accepting any this time.

Mellie I am appalled that the CMW refused to see you again after you have declined an optional procedure. You don't have to go in on Friday either if you don't want to - always remember that the decision lies with you, and not the MW.

flisspaps a cmw who was really nice and actually listened to me came and did a sweep at my home this morning. I told her about my issues re induction. And she said she completely understood where I was coming from and beyond T+12 you have to see a consultant to arrange monitoring etc. so she's sorted that for me for tommorow. So let's see what they say. Tbh I think I'll get my way. What with being low risk all the way through and apart from measuring a bit small no issues

brandy 37weeks, please tell me how to convince my midwife to do that ;)

I know I should be patient but pregnant with number 4 and would love to turn 37 weeks and go into labour

Two of mine came a week early and one a day early, that felt overdue to me

Really feel for those that go past 40weeks, I would be going mad, already am with 8 weeks to go lol

It was the consultant who suggested it as she knows how I feel about going into hospital and because I am 42 they are unwilling (not their choice but I like to give them the illusion of control) to let me go too far past 40 weeks - not that I ever have. My midwife knows me very well and has delivered the last two at home so I am very fortunate I think.

I was brave and had the sweep. she said i was 2cm dilated and recommended a long walk when i get home to help things along

Oooh good luck from here babydust!! X