To sweep...or not to sweep

[Runningblue]

Just that really...
Was due Wednesday 21 nov and I've got a midwife app this am. I am pretty sure she'll offer a sweep. I am dithering as to whether I want it.

It seems that in the 3.5 years since DS arrived, sweeps are offered more readily and earlier in the overdue period.

DS was 7 days late and in my foggy memory, quite sure I didn't have one (I'm sure I'd have remembered it[hmmm]

Any words of wisdom, good or bad experiences?

never get those darn smileys....

I believe nice guidelines changed as sweeps are slightly more likely to mean that inductions can be avoided - a lot simpler and more cost effective. 'Less women are likely to still be pregnant at point when other.induction methods would be offered' is now an nct handout described it. However it's not a guarantee of 'working'. In the last month I know of 2 women it worked for and two who've had 3-5. Not especially scientific but the one who had 5 it finally worked for (she was determined to avoid induction and is a .gp herself dc3 - but who knows if it worked or not?! ) And the other had to be induced yesterday after 3.

I'm 40 wks on Monday and have one booked on Tuesday but as it nears I must admit I am wondering about leaving it till thursday if possible (though this mw reckons she has magic hands - read vigorous! ) simply as i wonder if it might happen naturally. nothing to do with carpets being fitted on Saturday and general last min diy jobs that are still going on oh no.... on the other hand I'd rather not be induced if possible unless necessary.

This is my first so I can't give any personal experience but those I've asked said it was 'ok' (there's a tame video on nhs website!)

Nct handout said there's no evidence or research saying labour is any different at mo. Our nct teacher tried to perform one on herself but couldn't reach!

Personally I'm hoping the sods law of new carpets will trigger it on Sunday waters breaking on said carpets

I had a sweep when with second son, at roughly 10 or so days overdue. I think that was a Friday and they had booked me in for an induction on the Monday. This is a few years ago. It worked for me. I kept very active after the sweep - don't know if that made any different, but went into labour myself that night, baby born breakfast time next day. It doesn't really hurt or anything - just uncomfortable. Very best of luck.

I'm 8 days overdue and at 6 days over my MW said her attempting a sweep would be fruitless based on where the baby was (not low enough). I think the baby just needs to be ready first to make them work. I'm going to be induced Tuesday anyway. I was induced last time and didn't see anything wrong with the procedure (no additional intervention was required). I'm wondering if they will try another sweep when I arrive at hospital though as I think they did that last time.

Thanks for all the feedback. The nice guidelines are interesting clarella and I think reassure me slightly why the sweeps seem more common place. It's the vigorous hands I am worried about!!

I agree stands on shifting sands , i think being active post-sweep is the best thing I can do - cue cleaning the kitchen cupboards and scrubbing the floor later

I am hoping the baby is low enough Betty - it bloody well feels it!

I am refusing as it freaked me out last pg and gave me some issues as I felt forced into it. It also did nothing for me.

I must admit I will be asking the mw if the baby is any more engaged or how cervix is looking before definitely going ahead with it

My midwife and I discussed sweeps last week and we both said we felt they only work if you are ready to go into labour.

I had a sweep this morning at 10 days overdue. The only reason I had it was to show willing to the consultant who was trying to scaremonger me into being booked in for an induction on Sunday!

I didn't let her force me into an induction - but am booked in for monitoring on Sunday and Monday. I had the sweep with my mw though as that's who I've seen all along.

So fingers crossed I may go the way of stands and have my baby by tomorrow!

What did you decide in the end Running?

I had sweeps before I was induce. I had 4 in one day. It was so painful I now cant stand anyone going down there

Well I had the sweep, not the most pleasant of experiences, but we shall wait and see! Thanks for the advice all xx

Keep us updated! Best of luck!

Thanks clarella, I'm intrigued myself to see if it's worth going through!

Will keep my fingers crossed for you Running

Have had four sweeps (previous pgs) and vowed never again for this pg. They didn't work for me and my posterior cervix meant getting quite up close and personal to a MW.

My friend however got off the table, went home and started labour 2 hours after her's.

I'm v. nearly due and fed up though ....

four? you poor sod dye! I didn't want to divulge too much so not to put people off, but I coped with only so much before I said to stop!
I've just had a nap and feeling bit crampy- try not to think too much about it tho, what will be will be eh?

Ooo might be.... is this going to be a live labour thread?!

Mind, the way my cervix feels tonight baby will be re-enacting michaelangelo's creationof Adam fingers touching detail... either that or a hi five!

Well that would he great! But nothing exciting to report as yet, apart from some important feeling jostling from within... I've put new sheets on the bed tonight, could this help charm the waters to break?

I can't stop giggling today which is making my even more stretched tummy button absolutely feel like its going to rip! On the positive, sorry tmi, pretty sure I'm having a show...

Ooo well then - could be! All the best!

wooooo hoooo. You got a flight of stairs you can waddle up?!

Just an update. Our new dd arrived Tuesday evening weighing in at 8 lb 13oz

• waters had broken 24 hours earlier on Monday. A long do for a second but 2 days faster than dc1!

So who knows if it was that sweep?! I had a show each day from Saturday and periody pains too.

Congratulations - very happy to hear you've had a safe delivery and hope you are having a good time snuggling with your little dd

Congratulations running!

For anyone else - I've since found as a first timer that sweeps are very useful to let you know how your cervix is doing which I've found helpful when facing induction - at the very least just to understand everything! Mines been hard to reach effectively three times now. I've just found it helpful :)