Due tomorrow and already they want to do a stretch and sweep- is this the norm?

[Paintyourbox]

Hi everyone,

It's my first post on MN- hopefully I don't get it too wrong.

My due date is tomorrow (1st baby- very excited!) and I was really surprised on Tuesday when the consultant at the hospital told me to book in to my midwife for a stretch and sweep on Monday next week.

I don't really feel it's necessary as I'll only be 3 days over my date, baby and myself are both totally fine and the idea of a stretch and sweep makes me feel slightly sick (before I was pg I couldn't even go for a smear without feeling faint!!)

Is this the norm and has anyone ever refused one?

I would refuse, I don't understand the hurry either when you're not even overdue.

They talked about inducing me 3 weeks early because my baby was breech and it was near Christmas and I was like he's got ages to turn there's no way you are interfering yet! Turns out they were wrong anyway and he wasn't breech but this rush to get the baby out makes me so cross!

All the best.

I am due on Saturday and have an appointment with MW on Tuesday if baby still not here and they have said they will do a stretch and sweep then. I don't think you have to have one you can refuse it if you want to. Congratulations and I hope it all goes well!

Has anyone ever refused one? Yes, absolutely. You're entirely within your rights to refuse, or at least postpone one. They're not exactly pleasant and as you say, unless there is some medical reason why the baby needs to be born urgently, why do it so soon? It often doesn't work, anyway (didn't in my case). And due dates are fairly inaccurate, as they assume that all women have a 28 day cycle.

And congrats on your first post

Sorry I see you will actually be 3 days overdue, but I still think it's too early. I personally wouldn't consider anything until at least 2 weeks overdue.

The 'due' date is not an exact science, some babies are not ready to come then and it is natural they arrive later.

Thanks for the advice!

I feel that they want to do it for their own convenience rather than any benefit to myself and baby!

I was offered a sweep at around 35+4 weeks during an appointment with my Dr at the hospital.

The reason for offering was that the Dr had decided to induce me at 36+0 because my bile acid levels were too high (I had Obstetric Colastasis).

I declined because I was so upset and shocked that I was going to have a baby after the weekend and because he was going to be prem. My head was really not in the right place and I had to go and pick DS1 from school - had visions of walking to school like a cowboy and going into labour in the playground!

Dr was absolutely fine with my decision, she was lovely.

I don't really think there's much need for a sweep so early on for you if you don't fancy one!

I had a sweep at around 41 weeks. It didn't work and I was induced at 42 weeks.
You can absolutely refuse it if you want. The thing with sweeps is that if the baby is almost ready it often works. If it's not ready then it won't do anything anyway (my case).
I would probably have one again as I'm not too fussed about the discomfort of it and there is a chance it might get things going. But that's just me.
Don't let anyone pressure you into anything.