Second baby, when will the midwife do a sweep?

[used2bthin]

I am due this week and don't actually have a midwife appointment booked. I think I am meant to see one at 40 weeks? And have just read on the evict baby thread (couldn't post computer seems to go funny when I try due to long running script) that a sweep isn't given till 41 weeks with a second pregnancy?

I wondered why this is? Just feeling a bit nervous, didn't have the best of labours with DD1 and for other reasons I worry about things going wrong-DD1 has SN which logically I know were probably not due to the birth but she was stuck a while and I just want to get it all done as quickly and safely as possible.

I think you can have one whenever you want really. I would just book an appointment if you want one, my midwives were always happy to see people more often if they were feeling nervous etc.

41w here. They're more likely to work the nearer to labour you are anyway - so the further over 40w you go, the more likely it is to work. But that begs the question, why bother if it only works if you're going into labour soon anyway?

Oh, and a sweep has no bearing at all on the length or smoothness of your labour - having one (or not) won't make a jot of difference either way!

I had a sweep at 40+1 with second baby. I think it definitely sped things up, baby born within 36 hours.

Thanks for replies, don't actually know much about them as didn't have one with DD1. My midwife is not great and not very available, in fact she is only at my health centre once a week but there is a drop in thing nearby on fridays so I may go along there to see her as that will be 40 weeks exactly.

I suppose I am just not to do anything which could make things complicated-and am worried about induction too (amongst other things!) but it sounds like there isn't much point asking for a sweep early-sounds a bit like all the other things, sex etc which only work when your body is ready for labour.

scarlettsmummy so did you have an appointment booked already? My midwife is so vague she seems very bored with it all- all she said was see the GP at 38 weeks then hopefully I wouldn't need to see her again till after baby is born!